A top Ugandan singer has left some in shock after suggesting that the 78-year-old President Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni should appoint a Minister in charge of the Music Industry.
For days now, Ugandan musicians have been debating the role of politics and government in the industry, the copyright law and a new federation meant to streamline the arts.
Some artistes have asked for billions of money to help breathe life into the industry.
Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine, who is also a singer, has warned fellow artistes against being used by the regime to fight him. He has also warned that they might be treated as beggars if they don’t fight for their rights and rightful share.
Bobi Wine’s comments have resulted in a war of words, with singers and their fans hurling insults at each other, and more others giving their opinions.
One of the singers who has come out to give his view is Pius Mayanja aka Pallaso who believes that it’s high time Museveni’s government appointed a minister in charge of music in the country.
“The Uganda Music industry qualifies to have its own Ministry. it is a very big revenue stream for the people and the government once it’s well structured,” said Pallaso.
“Music is medicine. That’s why it’s industrialized, emphasized, politicized, Analyzed, sympathized, Compromised, recognized and everybody is surprised.”
But Pallaso was quickly reminded that what the country needs is a a lean cabinet on which the tax payer does not need to waste billions on salaries, vehicles and other benefits when output is minimal.
He was also reminded that even big agencies such as tax collector Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) was under a Ministry yet it collects trillions of Shillings every year.
He was also asked if companies such as MTN Uganda and Ruparelia Group, whose revenues are way higher than that of the music industry should become ministries.
It should be remembered that Museveni has a cabinet of about 80 ministers and hundreds of presidential advisors, most of whom never meet him, except when he calls them to Kyankwanzi to advise them. In fact, recently, a presidential advisor who is also a singer ambushed Museveni at an event and begged him for an appointment, crying that State House officials had blocked her from meeting him. (See Details Here and There).
Months ago, Museveni left Ugandns shocked when he appointed a presidential advisor in charge of Ankole cows. (Read Story Here).
You can also see the list of Museveni’s most powerful and influential advisors HERE.
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