By Zalimon Basighalha (Goodluck)
Kasese based artistes under the Uganda Musicians Association- UMA have appealed to the office of the Resident District Commissioner to grant them an opportunity to conduct some concerts during the forthcoming Christmas festive season.
On March 18, 2020, President Museveni in his first televised address to the nation over Covid-19 banned Musicians from conducting concerts. Up to now, the Entertainment industry has remained under lock.
However, in the latest televised presidential address to the nation, Mr. Museveni promised to officially reopen the economy in January if the country registers 4.8 million of her population vaccinated against Covid-19.
Today morning, the artistes who had thronged the Buhikira Royal Hill in Kasese town for the ingoing tree planting exercise got an opportunity to talk to the RDC, Lt. Joe Walusimbi and narrated their challenges to him.
Through their Vice Chairperson, Jolly Kahyana, the musicians explained to the RDC that the Covid-19 induced lockdown has economically affected them, a reason they appealed to the District Taskforce Chairperson to allow them conduct some concerts and the strict observance of the Standard Operating Procedures.
Kahyana told the RDC that government has only focused much on Kampala based artistes and forgotten their counterparts from the upcountry especially in Kasese district. According to Kahyana, despite the artistes from Kasese registering themselves to benefit from the Covid-19 relief fund, none of them received the money.
In his response to their concerns, Lt. Joe Walusimbi assured the artistes that he would share their idea of conducting concerts with the District Security Committee and later bring the feedback.
He, however, challenged the artistes to start composing songs with some lyrics that are aimed at changing the society positively as a means of promoting peaceful co-existence, unity and reconciliation within the Rwenzori region.
In his remarks, the Kasese Municipality MP, Ferigo Kambale, who also attended and fully participated in the exercise, urged the artistes to utilize their elected leaders to lobby for them so that they too benefit from the government’s pro-people programs.
The Busongora South Member of Parliament, Gideon Thembo Mujungu, who donated shillings 100,000 was represented by Erisa Muhindo Mutungwanda while the Kasese Woman MP, Florence Kabugho donated tree seedlings towards the noble cause.
