Art silenced by Power’s grip

By Richard Kizza Lugobwa

The performing arts industry in Uganda (music, dance and drama) developed gradually since colonial time.

For many years the industry was seen as a sector that harbored spoilt people in society, rendering it one of the most despised professions in the country. This perception was largely built on the code of conduct that performing artists had back in the day.

Most of the artistes were drunkards and lived recklessly.

The industry, however, gained momentum from the mid and late 1990s, when performers at the time managed to put up a successful fight against foreign music especially from  the then Zaire now Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.

The start of the new millennium saw the coming of the three music giants (Bobi Wine, Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone) who transformed the industry into the modern and attractive industry that has attracted and employed thousands of Ugandans for the last two decades.

Not forgetting the tremendous contribution of the band music performers such as Ronald Mayinja, Mesach Semakula, Geofrey Lutaaya (now member of parliament Kakuuto on National Unity Platform-NUP card) among others.

In the last decade, the performing arts industry became one of the most attractive sectors where every parent wanted their children to belong.

However, the industry has had a great set back in the past 5 years when Hon Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu (formerly Bobi Wine) got involved in active politics and put up great opposition to the ruling NRM party.

When he stood for the Kyadondo East parliamentary by election, Kyagulanyi was despised by the prominent political actors but his landslide win opened their eyes.

Many saw potential in him while others envied him. Nevertheless, he continued pursuing his political career and has a musician, he had a big following (fan base) which followed him in politics.

Uganda’s dictator General Museveni started by putting an indefinite ban on him and all his musical performances in 2017. This marked the beginning of the death of the industry because Bobi Wine stayed strong and focused on removing the dictator.

Kyagulanyi’s enthusiasm compelled General Museveni to employ the divide and rule tactic when he embarked on buying out performers to fight Bobi Wine. This was a great blow to the industry which neither the musicians nor the fans saw.

The divisions led to hatred amongst musicians and fans started boycotting and blacklisting their formerly favorite musicians. Social media became a fighting ground, insults, abuses and mockery became apparent. Because performers mainly depend on stage shows to earn, the dictator started giving them money to corrupt their support to him.The People Power Our Power slogan was used to punish whichever. musician sided with the dictator.

The former darlings and crowd pullers such as Ronald Mayinja, Catherine Kusaasira, had to flee the country temporality.

Eddie Kenzo who was the darling of young people became the most hated and criticized musicians. He turned into an NRM advocate and has literally abandoned his career to promote the dictatorship.

Kenzo had for many years represented Uganda in international awards and had won many of them but ever since he sided with the dictator he lost all endorsements and has never been nominated anywhere.

It’s coming to three years and he hasn’t recorded any new song. Bebe Cool who is now an NRM mobilizer has tried to remain consistent in the industry but the public boycotted his music. Jose Chemeleone is also entangled in political woes as he initially supported NRM, then went and supported Bobi Wine but ended up standing as a DP flag bearer. for the Kampala Lord Mayor seat.