Balaam demands sh320m as Eagles'' production chaos escalates

Mar 20, 2014

Promoter Balaam Barugahare has sounded a last warning to the effect that they must compensate him over sh320m should they fail to perform over Easter!

By Ahmed Mukiibi, Martin Ndijjo and Josephat Sseguya

Like a gas cooker, the heat within Eagle's production band is beginning to simmer out of the pan!

Promoter Balaam Barugahare has sounded a last warning to the effect that they must compensate him over sh320m should they fail to perform over Easter!

Balaam sent the hair-raising ultimatum through his lawyers, Muwema & Mugerwa Advocates & Solicitors. As a
businessman, Balaam is protecting his interests before the rotting fruit falls off the tree.

The shrewd businessman bound Eagles' production to a string of concerts over the Easter period due April after he bought out band member Geoffrey Lutaaya's impending album launch at sh100m.

Balaam insists all band members including Lutaaya, Ronald Mayinja, Mesach Ssemakula, Fred Sserugga, Catherine Kusaasira, Maureen Nantume, Doreen Mutiibwa, Stecia Mayanja and Grace Ssekamatte must perform because that's the agreement he signed.

Balaam's move comes amidst chaos in the band after one of the founding members, Geoffrey Lutaaya and his  wife Irene Namatovu split and are what is is left of Eagles' production.

The other members led by Mesach and  Mayinja re-branded to Golden productions, putting the deal in jeopardy.

This is after Lutaaya, at the height of simmering tensions and faults in the band, penned the deal on behalf of the members thereby binding them to it. His colleagues however will have none of it, and Balaam  on the other hand will not entertain stories.


The deal involved Eagles' production performing at three mega concerts over the period. However in a move  to frustrate and avenge Lutaaya's actions, the other members under Golden productions scheduled their own  shows on the same dates, and each of them to take place in venues not so far apart!

Lutaaya says members bound by deal

In his defence, breakaway member Lutaaya argues that the arrangement in Eagles' production has always been  that each director had a choice to sell their shows to whoever they pleased and all band members would  perform as long as each got their agreed share of the proceeds.

He says he therefore informed his colleagues of the launch dates and expected them to perform.

When asked about Balaam's demands, Mayinja said he would only comment after discussing with his colleagues.

However this was not before he wore a forlorn and worried face on seeing the letter from the promoter's  lawyers.


Golden Productions brand name taken

The re brand of Eagles' production to Golden production has meanwhile hit a snag after the Uganda  Registration Services Bureau (URSB) revealed that the name was already registered under a different  business entity.

The owners of that brand name are Mohammad Imran and Rogers Musisi and the certificate number is 195552,
according to records.

The setback comes after the 'new' band started advertising their upcoming shows on radio stations under the re brand! Catherine Kusaasira had already re-branded as well, calling herself “Golden Girl”.

When Eagles' production manager Moses Kavuma was contacted over the glitch he insisted as far as he was aware they were Golden Productions of which he is now MD.
 

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