Bruno K
The creation of the Uganda National Musicians Federation sparks debate among the public and musicians.
Right after the announcement of the formation and leadership of the Federation in May this year, there arose a controversy between those who believe in its creation and those who doubt the purpose of why it was established. Some individuals, especially artists, allege that a group of a few individuals organised themselves to find a way to receive support from the government in terms of money.
On the contrary, the artistes who are already part of this Federation including some of its leaders insist that they are not begging for money from the government but rather seeking help as they endeavor to streamline and regulate the industry.
Musician Bruno Kiggundu popularly known as Bruno K is one of the latest artistes who have come out to give their stand on why the Uganda National Musicians Federation exists. In a lengthy message posted on his social media accounts on Thursday the musician said;
“Each time artists try to unite, there is a group of people who try to sabotage this effort. In all the meetings I have attended, there is nothing I have heard like asking for money from the government. The only money we asked for is money UPRS collected from Radios and TVs on our behalf. The only thing our leaders are asking from the government is implementing the copyright law, stopping telecoms, and aggregators from robbing us through CRBTs (Caller Ring Back Tunes).”
“However, there is a group of some individuals who took over 20 billion Ugandan shillings from the government, all in the name of covid relief for artists, which we actually didn’t get. Now, those are some of the people fueling the bad PR about the newly created federation of artists,” he added.
“What is wrong with Ugandan artists getting united? Why is the unity a threat to some people? The Nigerians are united, Artists from Tanzania, why not Uganda? Every time we attend these meetings, I see our elders and legends like Lord Fred Ssebata cry. With all the hits he made, everything was taken from him. This is the same road all young artists are bound to take if we don’t get United.” Bruno K explained.
He further clarified that nobody facilitates them (artistes) to attend the meetings adding that they use their own money, and they do all this so that there is a change for the next generation of artistes.
“No musician in this country has ever received close to 70 million from CRBTs, even those with multiple mega hits, yet these telecoms make billions from our content. We are broke and frustrated, and yet you still do not want us to fight for what belongs to us. Introducing all kinds of propaganda and politicising the Unity of Artists,” the furious singer hit back at critics.
Bruno K also threatened to quit the federation as soon as possible and promised to apologise to the public if anyone presents him with a letter where the federation leaders asked for money from the government.
On Wednesday while at the burial of comedian Kato Lubwama in Nkozi, Mpigi District, musician turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine went bare knuckles on the federation as he called artistes to push for the enactment of a new copyright saying it would be the one to pave way for them to reap from their sweat other than what he called handouts from the government. His address to the artistes has ignited a huge debate, especially on social media.
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