Did Uganda’s Billionaire Keddi fulfill his pledges?
By: our reporter
Keddi Foundation Billionaire Keddi Steven Eric Zuluba rocked the media air waves splashing cash left right Center.
Many believed that the Butebo born billionaire had finally taken over the mantel from the likes of Brian White, Sipapa, Mike Ezra among other socialites.
Keddi sponsored over 20 Muslims to Meeca in 2024, He sponsored a heart surgery for 7 year old boy in Mukono Sonde with 37 million shillings among other achievements.
However along the way, he made several big pledges which some onlookers saw as unrealistic.
We look at the Top eleven pledges that Keddi Foundation CEO made that have stalled until today;
1. 1 million dollar Bulambuli Pledge
In 2023 after the devastating landslide calamity in Bulambuli. Keddi Foundation led by their CEO Keddi Steven Eric Zuluba come in with aid including food, utensils, Matreses, books among other items.
On 23rd May 2023 In his communication, Keddi pledged a 1 million dollar to Bugisu Sub Region to help resettle the homeless and provide livelihood to them as well.
The fund was supposed to also cater for those who are in risky areas.
In his speech, he said the fund would increase to ten million USD with time.
To date, Keddi has never returned to Bulambuli and the Citizens don’t know what happened to their hero.
2. Bringing KF TV To Mbale
Keddi Steven had a dream to make a world class media house in mbale city and eastern Region.
The billionaire rented a house in Mbale City, renovated it. He also hired experts to furnish the studios. For the past two years, the television has failed to kickoff and the structure is as good as abandoned.
3. 50 million dollar pledge to Palestine and Israel
On 13th December, 2023 Keddi gathered the Uganda and international press and announced that he was sending 50 million Dollars to Palestine and Israel.
The two countries were to share the fund equally to help the war affected persons with food and other relief items.
He assigned two staff members to fulfill the exercise by flying to Israel and Palestine however the next day, the very members were spotted in mbale at a community outreach raising concerns of when the two people traveled to Palestine and Israel.
4.10 million shillings pledge for Mike Nimweze
On 22nd May 2024, Keddi pledged to give musician Mike Nimweze 10 million shillings as sponsorship to do his ‘Ten years of Mike Nimweze’ Concert at courts view hotel Mbale, since them Nimweze says he has never received even a penny.
5. 100 million shillings Nakaloke Center Mosque pledge
On 30th December 2023, Keddi foundation CEO Keddi Steven Eric Zuluba graced a historic function of fundraising for the second biggest mosque in the country.
The billionaire pledged 100 million shillings, however since then the mosque committee confirmed receiving 37 million shillings about 1/3 of the total pledge.
6. Nyondo SS Class room block pledge
Last year, Keddi visited Nyondo SS as guest of honor in fundraising for the Bus and Classroom block.
He pledged 20 million shillings towards buying the school bus and also promised to build a classroom block with in two weeks. To the best of our knowledge, Keddi hasn’t fulfilled any.
7. Multiple Church pledges in Butebo
On the last day of 2023 and the first day of 2024, Keddi spent his time visiting churches, he made pledges to almost every church. However sources confirm he partly fulfilled some pledges with others still pending.
8. Taking Journalists for a retreat
On more than one occasion, Keddi promised and pledged to take journalists to a five-star hotel for a two days retreat. He also pledged to inject cash into their SAACO. However the pledges have remained as a myth.
9. Building Keddi Smart City
On 12 April 2024, Keddi Steven Eric Zuluba launched road construction in the historical Keddi Smart City. The city was to accommodate 40 million people stretching from Butebo through Mbale to some parts of Kenya. It would cost 600 bn dollars.
During the event he launched tarmacing of the 6.5km Namuswata road. He gave a timeframe of 2weeks which expired 10 months ago.
This big dream from the visionary Keddi raised a lot of concerns about how he would implement pronouncements.
10. Bringing the World’s top leaders to Butebo
During his most recent visit, Keddi pledged to bring Donald Trump, Elon Musk, China president Zi Jinping to Butebo as he launches Keddi City.
Among the celebraties he often mentions is Singer Rihanna, Jeff Bezos the Executive Chairman of Amazon, Bill gates among others.
To boost the sports in Butebo, Keddi promised to bring Arsenal FC team to Butebo and play against a team in Butebo.
11. 20.000 dollar pledge to Kabaka run
Last year, Keddi visited mengo and bought Kits worthy 10million shillings in support of Kabaka Birthday Run. He pledged 20.000 dollars to the cause.
However after several phone calls from Mengo, he paid 5.000 dollars never cleared according to sources. Sources claim that Katikiro Peter Mayiga was greatly disappointed with the way Keddi conducts business.
