There is word that a section of people in the entertainment industry, especially promoters have received funds to cover for their losses following Covid-19 induced lockdown that was announced by government last year.
The stimulus package was reportedly given out last week and it seems this hasn’t gone down well with some entertainers, including Comedy Store proprietor, Alex Muhangi, who accuses “some people of reaping what they didn’t sow.”
Muhangi put out a long post on his social media platform lamenting about how businesses like Comedy Store Uganda which he argues, suffered legitimate losses due to Covid have been sidelined.
He accused “a small section of people” of getting Shs 6.5 billion meant for event promoters whose events were affected and “sharing it among themselves.”
“Who are these people? None of the so-called promoters who decide for us has a weekly nor a monthly event,” a seemingly infuriated Muhangi added.
The standup comedian says Comedy Store Uganda suffered losses from a cancelled upcountry tour which was scheduled to begin before the virus outbreak was confirmed in the country in March last year calling for a lockdown of the economy. He says he had already spent significant amount of money on marketing the shows.
According to Muhangi, Comedy Store which gives a platform to several other comedians to showcase their talent, was/ is a source of livelihood for not only comedians and musicians but also other service providers.
“Each of these people was guaranteed some income every week. They have had to endure this financial pain for over a year,” he said in the post, and reminded the government how his show has always faithfully filed its tax returns.
The other losses he cites are the annual U.K Convention and UNAA Convention (U.S.) which he hosts. These were cancelled due to travel restrictions, affecting comedians and musicians who often headline them.
“We are not going to keep quiet until this call for action is responded to. Thanks bro for this – we have been seriously battered for us not to even get a little support,” fellow comedian, Patrick Salvado commented.
Muhangi himself has not been spared of criticism following the Covid-19 lockdown.
Some comedians questioned how and why he was allowed to perform as they were still locked at home as government struggled to contain the spread of the virus.
In his rebuttal, Muhangi said he had fulfilled all the standard operating procedures set by ministry of health for public events/ gatherings such as his.
issejjombwe@ug.nationmedia.com
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