By Isaac Balikuddembe
KAMPALA, Uganda: Tough times await local artistes and musicians following the new strict guidelines released by government to regulate them.
The government has issued new regulations for all musicians, artistes, actors, actresses, entertainers, events’ organizers, promoters, to be strictly adhered too before anyone releases any song, play, film, drama, dance or any other artistic work.
The guidelines that were released by the Uganda National Culture forum, under the Ministry of Gender and Social development, states that “No person shall perform public entertainment unless that person is registered with the ministry responsible for culture in Uganda as a performing artist.” The second regulation is that “An artist or entertainer shall submit their work for review before they release it to the public.” There are over 18 regulations but the first two are the ones sparking off mixed feelings among artistes and entertainers, because they are bound to curtail their works and limit their chances of performing at public events. Another regulation states that all entertainers, artistes actors and actresses shall be required to have license.” This means that the habit among Ugandan artistes of going to studio, recording and releasing a song shall be no more when these regulations come into effect.
Meanwhile, TheSpy Uganda has learnt that this is aimed at curtailing artistes like Bobi Wine, Mathias Walukagga, Ronald Mayinja and others from recording, releasing or publicly performing songs like Kyarenga, ‘Tuliyambala Engule’ and others which aren’t in favour of government.
