English reggae and pop band UB40 has distanced itself from the December 21 concert where they were supposedly meant to perform at the Kololo Independence Grounds.

UB40
UB40

The band in a statement last night clarified that only an estranged former member, Ali Campbell will be performing in Kampala, and not the rest of the group

“UB40 Sincerely apologizes to fans in Uganda and clarifies that we will NOT be performing in the upcoming concert, which is falsely billed as “UB40”, or” UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell,” the statement reads in part.

“The official UB40 group, distances itself from the upcoming show in Uganda, taking place at Kololo Independence Grounds on December 21st, following headlines and publications promoting a ‘UB40’ concert, hailing a return for the first time since 2008.”

Ali Campbell, then the lead vocalist and frontman left UB40 back in 2008 to form his own band, which he also named UB40. He was later joined by two other members Mickey Virtue and Astro.

In 2014, the original UB40 sued the new group for illegally using their name.

The original group consists of among others, Jimmy Brown, guitarist Robin Campbell, bassist Earl Falconer, percussionist Norman Hassan, and saxophonist Brian Travers, along with new vocalist Duncan Campbell.

In their statement yesterday, they accused Ali Campbell of “misleading fans and the general public by billing the tour as UB40 and UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell.”

“There is not a single member of UB40 in Ali Campbell’s backing group – and none of his band have ever performed with UB40, or contributed to a UB40 record,” the group stated.

“The official UB40 band wishes to make it clear that a current concert, is in NO way associated with UB40 and the founding members of the legendary group. The show on the 21st of December will see Mr. Ali Campbell being accompanied by a backing band of session musicians.”

UB40 also dismissed the comments by the concert organizers Talent Africa that “This will be the second and last time UB40 will be coming to Uganda.”

They noted that they still hope to return to Uganda in the future.