Musician Bebe Cool talked of the virtues of hard work, belief, honesty and loyalty shortly after he a Music in Africa Award last night.

The Ugandan music icon won the award for "Best Male East African Artiste" at the 2018 AFRIMA Awards in Accra, Ghana.

The Gagamel Entertainment musician, whose real name is Moses Ssali, beat top East African Artistes like Diamond Platnumz and Hamonize from Tanzania and Kenyan rapper Kaligraph among others to win the category.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is my First AFRIMA Award and I am 21 years old. I would like to thank my fans in Uganda and all over the world for voting for me. It has been a big wait but we have won," Bebe Cool said after being handed his award.

His fans all over social media have congratulated him through posts and comments.

Asiimwe Robert congratulates and thanks Bebe Cool for representing Uganda. "Congrats Bebe Cool, thank you for representing Uganda. Enjoy your time in Ghana and may God bless," read the post.

Kateregga Fahad Omar clearly noted that he still celebrates Bebe Cool’s victory despite the difference in political ideologies. "We differ in political ideology but am so happy you won the award Mr. Bebe Cool, congratulations, it must be country above self, Viva Uganda," read Kateregga’s comment.

As Bebe Cool fans celebrated his victory, those of Bobi Wine were attributing this to the mercy of Bobi Wine his music rival, who was one of the panelists at the Awards and that if it wasn’t for his good heart, Bebe Cool wouldn't have won the award.

In a post on Facebook, Bebe Cool said that success is a process and is always misunderstood by the unsuccessful.

"There is a very thin line between hate and fear. Hate describes a feeling of intense dislike for someone and fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by a threat danger, pain and harm. The process of achieving success is usually understood by the successful and is always misunderstood by the unsuccessful.”

He added: “Most people misinterpret this process as arrogance, disrespect and/ or pride. This process is comprised of hard work, honesty, belief and loyalty, which virtues must be cherished by those who want success."

All Africa Music Awards, or AFRIMA, is an annual awards show. The event was established by the international committee AFRIMA in collaboration with the African Union (AU) to reward and celebrate musical works, talents and creativity around the African continent while promoting the African cultural heritage.  Its pioneer awards show was held in 2014.