The creative industry is facing a significant decline in the moral integrity of content across various artistic mediums such as music, film, art, and fashion, leading to the deterioration of some art forms, including theatre, and comedy.

Years ago, a number of comedians attributed the decline of educational comedy to the widespread trend of performers resorting to vulgarity and using language unsuitable for younger audiences, a stance that was met with criticism from some within the comedy community.

Recently, disc jockey Selector Jeff criticised singers for producing videos lacking moral integrity, suggesting they are not suitable for the Ugandan audience, sparking a debate in the industry.

In alignment with Selector Jeff's concerns, singer Yasin Mukasa, also known as Lil Pazo Lunabe, blamed the audience for the morally-deficient content.

During a recent appearance on local television, the Genda Ogule Emotoka hitmaker suggested that when artistes create morally acceptable content, they often fail to receive the attention they deserve, unlike those who incorporate vulgar language.

"We have produced songs with meaning, but they go unnoticed; people prefer to listen to Enkudi. In Uganda, there's little demand for music that carries important social messages; the nation's moral compass has been compromised. Over the past seven years, I've released numerous songs with positive messages, but they've largely been ignored. However, when I released Enkudi, it was widely appreciated," Lunabe said.

Using rapper Gravity Omutujju as an example, Lunabe highlighted that artistes who include vulgar language in their music often receive more recognition, even being invited by the Government to perform at official functions. To gain such attention, he feels compelled to produce similar content.

Lunabe's perspective echoes that of legendary theatre actor Alex Mukulu.

During the launch of his upcoming stage play Kulumbisi and Kulunkalu at the National Theatre on March 22, 2024, Mukulu said performers often adapt to the preferences of their audience. If the audience favours vulgar content, performers may adjust their material accordingly.

"The theatre industry has also succumbed to immorality, mirroring the preferences of its audience. People have embraced immorality and triviality, disregarding the principles of theatre. This shift in attitude has posed challenges for the theatre community. As the audience dictates the type of content they wish to consume, performers often find themselves tailoring their messages to suit the prevailing moral climate," Mukulu explained.

He further noted that urbanisation, technological advancements, and various other factors have contributed to the decline in theatre attendance.