Roast and Rhyme 5th Edition 2019 in Uganda before lockdown. – Courtsey photo
By Josephine Ahabwe, Precious Ashaba and Judith Nakaweesi.
The entertainment industry in Uganda has for the last decade been on an upward trajectory.
Statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) show that it contributes 141.5 billion which is equivalent to 0.3% of the entire contribution to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
However, the entertainment industry was one of the first casualties of the novel pandemic and it’s associated effects following the president’s address in April 2020 in which he asked all events, concerts,bars,cinemas,discos and dances among others to close for a period of 32 days with a claim that these are dangerous places and the virus would spread faster.
The suspension of all these events was one of the ways of curbing down the spread of the virus.
Since that time, life has never been the same for majority of the entertainers as they have been seen on several occasions appeal to the president to have their business back so that they can survive and feed their families that entirely or partly depend on them.
People affected by these measures range from artistes, comedians, event planners, promoters, service providers, the media among others.
“ Nobody saw this coming, everyone was excited about 2020 and people thought it was going to be their year, we had so many plans for the new year and this happened. It was a bit of a reality check and it has really shut everything down. We have been so much affected because there were many plans underway, forexample I had just moved my studios to a new place in Kololo and I was really looking forward to amazing production but all that was cut short, I had so many events planned but everything was put off “ said Ali Allibai CEO Talent Group Africa.
Alfa Ssebunya also known as “Mudra”, an upcoming artiste said that the pandemic has really pressed him so much because it is really hard to make money out of music in these times when performances and concerts are on a ban.
“ Recounting the story about the pandemic and it’s effects on the entertainment industry is such a painful moment because it has really affected us since we are spending money that we are not earning. Forexample, we have families to take care of, amidst all this our fans expect us to produce music to keep them entertained yet there’s no money but I have managed to survive I don’t know how but day in day out I get money from sympathisers,fans, friends.”
Ssebunya also adds that it has been rather a tricky situation to him as an upcoming artiste who is still trying to establish himself in the industry because he spent twelve million to shoot a video of his popular song “Muyayu” with a hope that concerts would resume soon after the first lockdown which has not happened yet.
Patrick Idringi also known as Salvador, a comedian said that he had planned for the year like he always does at the start of every new year in January and he already had projects that were going to follow his big show of “Africa Laughs season 5 “ and that he was just waiting for execution but sadly we ended up in a lockdown which has crippled their business till to-date.
Club Guvnor before the ban on bars and discos was effected. – Courtsey photo
When asked about how the government can help the entertainers whose business has been crippled for a year and counting now, Andrew Kaggwa, an arts journalist with Daily monitor said, “ I don’t know any government that understands the arts and media industry because these people have failed to make the government understand their craft so they should work on pitching their craft in a way that will be understood by the government if it is to help them. “
Kaggwa also advised them to consider online concerts for survival because these will bring them income because he believes that it’s content that will bring people to your page to watch you perform. He also urged artists to use their numbers or followers because the more subscribers one has on YouTube the more the views their videos are likely to get and thus the amount of money to be earned.
Cinderella Sanyu also known as Cindy, the acting president of the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA) noted that it has been a tough situation for the Industry and she’s afraid it may never be the same as the effects of the pandemic have are so deep.
She calls upon the government to find a workable solution that will save them from the effects of the pandemic among which is providing support in all forms, easing the restrictions on the entertainment industry and urges her fellow artistes to stay strong and keep pushing until something is done about the situation.
Ivan Wabwire also known as “Da Agent” performing at a Buzz event before lockdown took effect- Courtsey photo.
Public Affairs Reporting 