Government clarifies on sh9b cash for musicians

Gender and culture state minister Peace Mutuuzo has clarified on the shillings nine billion the Government recently gave to the musicians SACCO.

Mutuuzo says although it is a musician (Eddy Kenzo) at the helm of the SACCO (Savings and Credit Co-operative Organisation), other umbrella organisations under the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) are entitled to a share of this money.

The minister says the money went into the musicians’ SACCO so they can use it to empower and uplift themselves out of poverty.

However, the initiative has sparked controversy, with recent media reports revealing that UNMF is currently at loggerheads with groups like Uganda Musicians Association (UMA).

Recently Phina Mugerwa of UMA voiced her frustration over the disparity in the allocation of the funding.  

Speaking Tuesday at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala as part of activities to commemorate World Culture Day, Mutuuzo clarified that all artists can borrow that money because the creative industry is in several domains.

“So, a leader being a musician does not mean the money belongs only to the musicians. I have seen other artists getting engaged in that music industry,” she said, adding that the value chain of musicians has "around three or four different domains".

“So with this specific money, we are looking at all the domains and all the people who are in the value chain to be able to access resources to build their sector. If only you can sing but don’t have a good studio then you will not get out a good piece for marketing which we are targeting right now,” she said.

The minister also said the Government is committed to strengthening the culture and creative industry through the development of new policies and legal frameworks.

She noted that the Government is working on the restructuring of the culture and creative industry, and improving the status of artists in Uganda.

“As culture becomes a public good, there is a need for substantial regulation of the digital sector, notably of the major platforms, for the benefit of online cultural diversity, artists’ intellectual property rights and fair access to content for all,” she said.