President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last week appointed popular artist Edirisa Musuuza stage name Eddy Kenzo new Presidential Advisor on Creatives. News of his appointment was received with mixed reactions. In his own industry a few believe his position is good for them while others look at it as only useful for Kenzo and Museveni’s interests only known to the duo.
Kenzo joins a long list of his likes; Catherine Kusasira, Jennifer Nakanguubi and Buchaman who are “advising” Mr Museveni on the ghetto population and music industry.
Well as the position of Presidential Advisor has remained purely a welfare for the holder package, some dockets may be challenging than others.
Mr. Kenzo is one such position that may demand more than just a welfare uplift.There are troubling questions about the creatives or content Industry, its value and future. So as I congratulate Eddy Kenzo, I want to alert him to the daunting task ahead.
So what awaits Eddy Kenzo?
Mr. Museveni’s opponents have not paid much attention to what explains his new found love for these artists yet it is one costly undertaking he has made over a decade ago and a big achievement.Had you imagined that a bad song played over and over is more dangerous than a megga opposition rally?
While an opposition rally can be dispersed and limited in audience, a song can’t. Its negativity can cross boundaries and reach the least expected person(s).
So Ronald Mayinja’s “Tuli kubunkenke”(we are on tension), Mathais Walukagga’s “Mutuliddemu Olukwe”(You have betrayed us), Fred SSebatta’s “Engo yekigwa–”(Domestic leopard) are more damaging to government than any mega rally held in Kampala. Museveni understood this and brought artists closer and has been quietly reorganizing them in his government; The State is spending heavily on this sector and fact is Eddy Kenzo has been managing a huge fund for the artists.
Remember ,Music has been used to de-campaign and promote regimes in DR Congo and South Africa before.
Those criticizing Kaguta Museveni’s move to engage musicians as counter productive should study global political trends. All politicians know the social space dominated by musicians is a major platform for electioneering. Only Envy says don’t give money to any except me. Stop it.
Therefore two critical questions await Kenzo;
First, Is the industry properly cut out or defined? What constitutes the creative industry in Uganda and who belongs there?
How is it structured and what are its current challenges. One must admit that General Salim Saleh has been keen on this industry and from his efforts Eddy Kenzo, Queen Sheebah, the PSST Ramathan Ggoobi , Racheal Magoola among others have been advocating for the reorganization of this sector each for a different reason. Indeed there is unprecedented stability in the sector with each day presenting opportunities. The industry has been given more meaning than before but do players understand the industry and their roles in it for the desired benefits.
Secondly, what is the value of the products of the creatives and what are those products. while speaking to General Saleh in Gulu earlier this month, I was confronted with a similar question? Do we have a valuer or system for Uganda’s content? The plays, Films, Music ,Drama and more of what is aired and posted all over TikTok , YouTube, Facebook, Radios, TVs etc. . Its also important to note that many content creators here including popular artists live miserable lives so just how much does their content fetch? And for how long?
Where does the industry lie under Museveni’s economic philosophy called the Musevenomics . It points to No.7. on the factors of production because it presents an interplay of capital,labour and entrepreneurship.
In case of Musicians, they own the labour but lack the capital to record labels, stage concerts and so promoters bring in capital to employ the artists’ labour and the two turn the music or drama into a commercial transaction hence entrepreneurship as a factor. In this, one exploits the other the biggest risk taker being the promoter who invests in the shows and production.
The industry is good on wealth creation because it provides direct and indirect jobs and therefore income. Unfortunately, this is more beneficial to third parties than it is to the content creators.
Statistics show that through the copyright arrangement the industry expected to collect at least Ugx 400M for the musicians in 2023 but realized on Ugx 99M in 2023. Just how much is available for Uganda’s musicians. Therefore artists only look up to tickets/gate collections for a kill. They are however at the mercy of promoters in this and their works last in form but not in pocket.
How can this content/creative industry be redeemed?
Kenzo must therefore work hard to eliminate a decade long curse on his sector. Why do creators die poor? How can the industry be re-organized and structured, what does the industry produce and whats the value of it? How are the works of the creatives protected? What are Ugandan content Creators up to ? whats their worth? Welcome brother Kenzo!
About the Author
Sir Simon Muyanga Lutaaya is a journalist whose career spans over two decades. He is passionate about business, social – economic transformation, and neonatal health. He can be reached on 0703700309 or Email: smlmediac@gmail.com
