Artistes petition Kadaga over new laws

ARTS   REGULATIONS

KAMPALA - A section of artistes including comedians, musicians and film actors Tuesday afternoon, met the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga to present to her a petition against the newly set regulations on arts which they describe as draconian and unfair to the arts industry. 

Through one of their umbrella associations called National Union of Creative and Performing Artistes, they expressed their disappointment in the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) for shoving such harsh regulations down their throats before consulting widely across the entire sector. 

Led by Hannington Bugingo, the President of the Uganda Comedians Association, the artistes lauded Kadaga for sharing most of their concerns on the regulations and promised to take action. 

Upon a successful first step for the artistes, Kadaga took to social media to assure them of her support.

"I have received a petition from the National Union of Creative and Performing Artistes. They are aggrieved about some laws and regulations that they say are hurting the music industry. The artists say they weren't consulted as key stakeholders. I have noted that there is no Ministry directly concerned with the Artistes. Nobody owns them. The creative and performing arts need a political head and a Commission so they know where to run to. I will forward their concerns to Parliament for action," said Kadaga

The regulations, gazetted as "Film Documentary and Commercial Still Photography Regulations 2019 and Stage Play and Public Entertainment Regulations 2019", were released by UCC to regulate the industry.  

Some of the artistes present included Ykee Benda, Rema Namakula, Halima Namakula, Hanson Baliruno and Alex Muhangi among others.