Musicians Cindy and Sheebah perform at Kololo Independence Grounds on September 15, 2023.
At his comeback concert at Lugogo KCCA grounds, Ugandan musician Clever J, who gained popularity in the 2000s with tunes like “Manzi Wanani” and “Ensi Yaffe,” was not able to draw a sizable crowd.
Clever J’s music career was supposed to be revitalised by the concert, which was arranged by event planner Abitex, but was a major loss.
He is not alone. Previously King Michael, self-described dance hall singer, tried promoting his concert for a very long time by participating in interviews and other appearances but things didn’t go his way.
Artistes for a long time have cried foul blaming promoters, bad weather, government and sometimes the media. So the question is: Where is the money and who gets the biggest share?
Mr Daniel Kazibwe alias Ragga Dee says that show business is complicated and not for the faint hearted.
Organising a concert
Mr Kazibwe explains; “To hold a show at cricket oval when working with international artistes like Jay Z the venue will cost about Shs40million, at Kampala Serena hotel if you negotiate well, Shs25 million is what you will part with.”
Musician Alien Skin performs during his maiden concert at Freedom City on June 9, 2023. PHOTO/COURTESY
“We do advertising; for TV stations we pay up to Shs10 million, radio Shs5 million, bloggers, bulk SMS, TikTok, then city drive around – trucks Shs600,000; a day, sound system and petrol we are charged differently the bill comes to about Shs1.5 million,” he says.
He adds, “The reason we don’t do advertising a lot is the high costs. Other costs include banners you pay daily at eye catching areas like Mukwano roundabout, Wandegeya, we also have digital screens Shs1.5 million per face.”
Another cost is joint security- anti bomb squad, regular police, bouncers- Shs60, 000 and the stage and sound and lighting can go for up to Shs50 million, generators go for Shs6 million, musicians are also paid.
Ms Dorothy Nabunjo, manager at Karizm says a rough estimate puts you at Shs150 million and above depending on the service providers used and marketing involved, sometimes other musicians must be paid and the costs can go high.
“That money will cater for security, marketing, branding, production, hospitality licences involving ticketing and tagging. We offer arts and creative business solutions, events management, films premiers, talent management and booking,” she says.
Ms Phina Mugerwa, secretary general, Uganda Musicians Association (UMA), says one has to consider venue costs, cost of sound, stage-lighting and mostly the statutory dues.
“We pay posters daily, that is why we do less adverts to cut the costs, there is the drive those trucks you see making noise with speakers and that can costs up Shs600,000 a day; and when the truck goes into Wakiso district, you also pay,” she said.
She adds, “You can end up paying for Nakawa and when you cross to Bweyogerere you pay again, then you give free tickets to journalists and online teams. And not all musicians will sing for you for free, the dancers are also paid.”
Raga Dee says, “We pay Kampala City Council Authority, Uganda Police and we also hire bouncers; you can’t put up a banner without paying KCCA.”
Who takes the day?
On a good day, everybody should go home happy. After a concert like King Saha’s organised on December 8, it is estimated that more than200 people got jobs on top of musicians who sang. However, some musicians are sceptical.
