Several attempts by musician Edrisah Musuuza, known professionally as Eddy Kenzo to register recognised Uganda musicians association hit a deadlock on legal grounds, new details indicate.
It is understood that the proprietors of Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) failed to get a green light from registered associations in the music industry.
In a live Facebook video last week, Eddy Kenzo broke down in tears as he demanded an apology from Sheikh Muzaata. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
Impeccable sources inside Kenzo’s camp told this reporter that the group sought a meeting with the line ministry- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development- to get a backing but they were sent back to deal with existing associations which are reluctant to comply.
“Following the commissioner’s meeting where their Community Based Organisation (CBO) certificates were rejected. They rushed to make name reservations for those tinny associations,” one of the sources shared.
Information obtained from Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) indicate that around 14 music leaning CBOs were registered recently.
The new CBOs presented as associations include; Greater Mukono, Masaka, Teso, Kigezi, Mpigi, Luweero , Kampala Central music associations among others. All registered as limited companies.
We reached out to the vice chairperson of National Cultural Forum, Charles Batambuze who did not confirm the new developments but said there is a deliberate move to balkanise the country’s industry into “tiny music associations.”
“Ideally they were dismantling Uganda Musicians Association but that is not how things work. We will share official details at the right time,” he added.
The development comes days after at least 13 registered associations that are supposed to federate denounced Kenzo- led federation.
They are;
1. Uganda Musicians Association
2. Songwriters Association of Uganda
3. Audio Producers Association Uganda
4. Instrumentalist Player’s Association
5. Grill Live Band Performers Association
6. Kadongokamu Theatre Association
7. Musicians Legends Association
8. Banansi Music Association
9. Talented Musicians Network Association
10. Kaswida Nashid and Matali Association
11. United Deejays Fraternity
12. Uganda Music Publishers Association
13. Association for Performing Artists Managers
