Ugandan Musician Guvnor Ace’s May-December Romance Becomes Fodder for Gossip · Global Voices
James Propa

A screenshot of Guvnor Ace with his wife Lisa in a music video of a song titled “Old Woman”.
In Uganda, people will be criticised over anything that is deemed unusual, be it good or bad. Life has also been generally tough for opposition politicians and gay and lesbian people. Earlier this year, Ugandan musician Eddy Kenzo won a BET award and still some people in the public criticised his award.
This time it was nothing easy for Guvnor Ace, an upcoming Ugandan musician, who got lawfully wedded to his fiancee Lisa Johnson. The source of all criticisms was her age, “said” to be 68 years, while he is just 27. Many Ugandans including popular tabloids took to social media, claiming that Guvnor Ace is in the relationship for money. Some commenters even went as far as saying that he is waiting for Lisa to die and take all her money.
The YouTube video below is of a song he wrote in response to criticism titled “Mukadde”, which translates to “old woman”:
Ugandan tabloid, The Red Pepper, wrote a very mean headline:
Guvnor Ace Finally Weds His ‘Ancestor’
Commenting on a story posted on This is Africa about the wedding, Dave Mwilla claimed that Guvnor Ace married Lisa to get citizenship in Sweden, even suggesting Guvnor Ace might have murderous intentions:
If he had his own money he couldn't be saying ‘we’ help each other financially. Hope he doest strangle her for her money or hope he doesn't think she will die tomorrow so that he may inherit her cash! Poor boy, there is no love in such marriages whatsoever. Start counting the years from now and see what happens, soon! As soon as he lands in Sweden, love will have expired!
Lawrence Youjay Moore asked:
The real motive will soon be known . How can this be Love ?
Kinyera Tonny said:
We are losing a lot to money than love but the truth will come if love or money but that age can not in any way satisfy him so she is not the one for his natural satisfaction
The photo below posted on Facebook by Ugandan journalist Dikteta Mark shows Guvnor Ace holding notes of 50,000 Ugandan shillings, worth about 16.60 US dollars each. This meant to suggest that Guvnor Ace is acually earning from the relationship.
Guvnor Ace showing off money
Ugandan superstar and fellow artist Jose Chameleon, however, congratulated the couple upon their wedding. He wrote:
Mapenzi ni jibu kubwa!!zaidi kuliko chuki !!! Happy Wedding day✌✌✌✌✌ Guvnor Ace. Unaweza Kweli!!!!!!Love has Greater Answers than Hate. Don't tell anyone why you are happy let them see the Smile. Leone Island Music Empire 2015
Love is a greater answer than hate. Happy Wedding day✌✌✌✌✌ Guvnor Ace. Truly, you can!!!!!!Love has Greater Answers than Hate. Don't tell anyone why you are happy let them see the Smile. Leone Island Music Empire 2015
Commenting on an article posted on the Monitor newspaper, Floentry supported Guvnor Ace's decision and said she will get married to an older man too because it is all about love:
Societal perception is really tainted. Most people associate marrying an older person to gold digging, unaware that some people marry genuinely for love. And love is a beautiful thing. If you find true love in an older male, grab it. God is is the author of love, he orchestrates all marriages. Love isn't discriminatory. Love doesn't care about age, race, creed, nationality or even tribe. If the intentions are honest, both feelings are mutual and communication is great, Love each other.
It is about two people who genuinely care, respect, understand and love each other. Not about what other people think or say.
I will marry an older man.
Ugandan sports journalist @DhakabaKigongo reported that Guvnor Ace and his wife were seen on a public motorbike in Kampala, which means they are living an ordinary life:
Besides the FDC debate trending now, someone saw Guvnor Ace & his white wife on a boda boda in town, proves that it's love not money!!!
— DhakabaKigongo (@DhakabaKigongo) August 30, 2015
It is not clear if the journalist was joking or not.
Blogger and journalist Henry Ndugwa argued that the musician is setting a poor example for young men:
Guvnor Ace kyeyekola alowozesa abavubuka abato nti kyeyakoze makula http://t.co/xWPsxcZ6ay
— Henry Ndugwa (@HenryNdugwa) August 25, 2015
What Guvnor Ace did is misleading to young men thinking what he did is good.
Regardless if it's love or not, Guvnor Ace's music has attracted more attention and he is now invited to most shows around the country, where he happens to perform with his wife on stage.