Government moves to inspect music promoters’ SACCO

 Uganda music promoters have yet again been thrust into fresh scrutiny following an inspection notice into the affairs of the Uganda Music Promoters Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCO).

In a letter dated February 18, 2026, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives announced an inspection of the SACCO after receiving a whistleblowers’ complaint alleging an illegal takeover of the society, governance breaches and mismanagement by the board and management.

The directive, signed by Robert Bariyo Barigye, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, indicates that the ministry had initially scheduled the inspection for February 9 but deferred it after communication revealed that the officials were expected to appear before the State House Anti-Corruption Unit on the same date.

The inspection has now been rescheduled to Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the society’s offices in Kitebi, Rubaga Division.

The ministry has directed the SACCO leadership to avail all relevant records and documents to facilitate what it described as a comprehensive inspection of the society’s affairs. A harmonization meeting between the Board of Directors and the lead petitioners is also set for 2:00 p.m. on the same day.

The development has sparked concern within Uganda’s entertainment circles, where music promoters play a crucial role in organizing concerts, booking international acts and supporting local talent.

Some promoters say the outcome of the inspection could determine the future direction of the SACCO and potentially restore confidence among members.

The inspection comes barely a month after government intervention in a sh750m misappropriation saga involving funds from a presidential grant meant to support music promoters.

This follows a January 20, 2026 petition by events promoter Nobert Twizire, popularly known as Nobert Events, in which he alleged that Shs750b had been withdrawn from each of the two promoters’ SACCO accounts for personal gain instead of being used as a revolving fund to support members. 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had earlier directed Shs10b be allocated to the promoters’ SACCOs. In the first allocated, the Government allocated sh1.5b to each of the two SACCOs.

Recently, 12 SACCOS leaders agreed to refund the sh750m within six months. Each member committed to pay back sh62.5m, which they had picked from the SACCO accounts. This was agreed upon in an intervention meeting that was called by the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi. Government also resolved that funds would be released in phases, with stronger financial controls instituted and an Annual General Meeting called to appoint new bank signatories.

 
The Uganda Music Promoters SACCO is led by Abbey Musinguzi (popularly known as Abtex). The other board members are Paul Katongole, Godfrey Mayanja, Yasin Kaweesi and Zaidi Kafeero.