In a move aimed at bolstering the welfare and development of artists across Uganda, the government recently disbursed the initial portion of a Ugx. 5 billion stimulus package to the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF).
The money was received through UPDF.
However, this initiative, spearheaded by the popular singer Eddy Kenzo, has ignited a firestorm of controversy and division within the music community.
The disbursement of funds has been marred by allegations of unfair distribution, leading to significant unrest among musicians.
Prominent artistes who sit on the federation like Hanson Baliruno (a member of the loans committee) and Sheebah Kalungi who is Kenzo’s deputy received shs 200 million each, while Ykee Benda and David Lutalo were allocated shs 100 million each.
In stark contrast, some lesser-known musicians received only meager sums, with Bruno K getting just Ugx. 2 million and others 1 million.
The conflict reached a boiling point when legend musician Joseph Mayanja alias Jose Chameleon rejected an initial allocation of shs 50 million.
He stormed the UNMF offices at the Sheron Hotel in Mutundwe Kampala, vehemently criticising the federation’s leadership and accusing them of supporting homosexuals, a charge with serious social implications.
Following his outburst, Chameleon was controversially awarded an additional Ugx. 100 million and he bagged 150m.
The unrest continued as reports emerged that another top musician received only 15 million delivered by Baliruno at 4 am at Mezo Noir Bar in Kololo, only to reject the sum and he was subsequently be offered 38 million.
Meanwhile, King Saha refused an allocation of shs 20 million from Kenzo and has since launched a verbal attack against the federation.
Adding to the controversy, renowned MC Kats, real name Edwin Katamba, was notably excluded from receiving any funds despite his significant contributions to the music industry.
This exclusion has fueled further criticism of the allocation process.
Kenzo’s Defense
Speaking on Tuesday, Eddy Kenzo acknowledged that the federation had disbursed the funds but clarified that they were loans, not grants. “No single musician received free money; they will pay it back. Whoever was given money applied for it, and there is evidence,” Kenzo stated.
However, conflicting reports indicate that some musicians neither applied for nor signed any documents, raising serious questions about the accountability and transparency of the process.
The financial support from President Museveni’s government aimed to nurture Uganda’s vibrant music scene, but the current turmoil threatens to undermine this initiative.
The secretive and seemingly biased distribution of funds has sparked distrust and division within the music community, potentially hampering the development of the industry.
To restore trust and ensure the effectiveness of future support, there needs to be a thorough review and overhaul of the distribution process, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Addressing these issues promptly is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the initiative and achieving its goals of supporting and nurturing Uganda’s musical talent.
The 5 billion stimulus package intended to uplift Uganda’s music industry has instead sown discord and controversy as the government and the UNMF navigate this turbulent period, the need for equitable and transparent management of resources has never been more apparent.