OVER the past four years, singer Bruce Melodie has rarely been seen with no security. He has most of the time been spotted with a personal bodyguard who exclusively handles his security wherever he goes.

While it’s a rare thing to see a local artiste having their own bouncer who ensures security for them day after day, Bruce Melodie employs a personal bodyguard who takes care of his security on a daily basis and is paid a certain monthly salary which the singer has chosen to keep confidential.

From concerts and video shooting to media briefings and music premieres, the bodyguard identified as ‘Jean Luc’ whose popular name ‘Mubicyane’, even accompanies him inside the radio station whenever invited for interviews.

Even when the singer plans to do music projects outside the country, he travels with him. The latest the duo travelled together was in December when the singer went to Tanzania to support Harmonize during his pre-album concert during which he performed.

But one would wonder why Bruce Melodie would need security and protection from a bodyguard.

The singer said that he has never felt unsafe but emphasised that a personal bodyguard was at some point needed for an artiste of a ‘star’ status to be able to do his job in a conducive environment.

"I realised that there is a time you need protection, not because there is lack of security, but because you just need to do your things in your comfort zone and that is exactly why I hired a bouncer,” the musician told The New Times.

"There is a situation where you feel you need this person to help you deal with the audience, especially if you want to pass through people, for instance. He is an important person in my team,” he added.

The singer hailed his bodyguard for showing professionalism during their time together and that he has always been there.  

"Ever since we agreed to work together, he has been doing his job well and I am proud of how he has been acting professionally. He is really a good guy, and I think that’s why people always look for him to help them ensure protection for international artistes when they come to perform in Kigali,” the singer said of his bouncer.

"These guys do a good job and they deserve credit,” he added.

Besides being Bruce Melodie’s personal bodyguard, Mubicyane is the president of Kigali Body Guard Ltd (B-KGL), a Kigali-based company that provides bouncer, bodyguard and protocol services to private events’ organisers.