Saleh hands over cash to Kadongo-Kamu musicians

Chief Coordinator for Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. Salim Saleh has handed over cash to the Kadongo-Kamu music competition finalists and winners.  

  Saleh, who is the Senior Presidential Advisor on security matters, on Monday, invited the musicians to his village home near Namunkekeera Industrial Park in Kapeeka town, Nakaseke district where he had lunch with them. 

 The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga crowned the winners on Saturday at Kololo Independence Grounds.  

 He handed over sh50m to Lord Fred Ssebatta who was declared winner out of the 25 finalists who have been eyeing the cash prize.

The first runners up, Vincent Ssegawa received sh25m, Sylvester Busuulwa and co-singer Robert Kagulire bagged sh15m and Mathias Walukagga who came fourth received sh10m. 

In addition, using personal money, Saleh gave $1,000 to each of the 21 participants who did not win cash plus sh500, 000 which was contributed by National Agricultural Advisory Services Organization (NAADS).  

Although he encouraged artists who sought to raise their grievances, Saleh was shocked with their conduct before him. Some musicians wept while others rolled in dust to show their discontent about how the winners were selected. Dr. Fred Ssebbaale knelt down begging for Saleh to listen to his complaint and after he said he wanted to roll in dust to show how deeply hurt he was. Miriam Nalubega also wept as she presented her grievances, prompting the host to ask why ‘the young lady was weeping'.

Saleh with singers and observers at kapeeka Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

"Some of those things are not for me, go to your associations. But I want even the two groups to agree on how they are going to move forward, probably sign a memorandum of understanding to spell out who is who and their roles instead of bickering," he said.

The two groups included leaders of the Kadongo Kamu singers led by their chairperson Ronald Kawuki alias DJ Kikofiira, and Paul Katongole, chairperson of Uganda Music Promoters and Venue Owners Network (Ump-net). 

To avoid any doubt and further complaints, DJ Kikofiira who received the singers' cash decided to distribute it from the high table before Saleh, which calmed down the artists. 

 The meeting was attended by Andrew Benon Kibuuka, President the Uganda Performing Artists Association and the chairperson of the competition organizing committee Major Rubaramira Ruranga.