Artistes under their organisation, the Federation of Performing Artistes have paid a visit to the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga to petition and demand for a new independent ministry to handle affairs of the music industry and also to resist new regulations to be established to regulate and control the actions of musicans.
These artistes were led by Rubaga South MP and comedian Kato Lubwama, The Federation of Performing Artistes President, Andrew Benon Kibuuka among others who showed their grievances towards the recent new regulations by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
Weeks ago guidelines were issued to streamline the music industry in the country and among them include; all artistes will be required to submit their works for approval by the Uganda National Culture Forum, no artiste will be allowed to hold public performance when he or she is not registered and that no artiste shall be allowed to perform abroad without clearance from the ministry.
Kibuuka said that although the music industry welcomes the guidelines, he faulted the Ministry of Gender for not consulting them and that the guidelines in their current states are repressive.
Kato Lubwama who also doubles as Shadow Minister of Culture also asked Kadaga to help them in establishing artistes’ fund that will help them in the production of films and songs, arguing that the costly venture has hampered the execution of their work.
Speaker Kadaga promised to arrange a meeting between the Performing artistes and parliament committee on Gender so that their concerns are addressed during this period when Parliament is considering Budget Framework Papers from different ministries.
It should be remembered that these regulations were resisted by the majority of the artistes who gathered at Munyonyo Jahazi Pier whom included Eddy Kenzo, John Ssegawa, Hilderman and others.
Musician cum politician when in Jamaica for a music tour also referred to these rules as stupid and cowardly and called upon artistes to resist them since they are intended to suppress the voices of the artistes in Uganda.
In case of any developments, we shall keep you posted
