Government has lifted the ban on Arts and Culture after nine months of the sector being under lockdown due to fear of the spread of COVID-19.
According to the Uganda National Cultural Forum (UNNC), the government has lifted the ban on entertainment concerts, on condition that they’ll be conducted in gazetted open spaces from 7 am-7 pm. The lift will be effected this Saturday, December 19.
“I am therefore happy to announce that our sector (Arts and Culture) has now been opened to operate but with strict observance of the Ministry of Health COVID-19 guidelines & SOPs,” said Sam Okello, the Chairperson Board of Trustees while addressing journalists at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala this morning. Last month, government reopened theatres & art galleries & other artistic spaces.
Okello revealed that government also fulfilled its pledge of financially supporting promoters whose shows were cancelled during the lockdown by giving them Shs1.2 billion.
The Lift of the ban on concerts comes a few days after Nigerian artistes Omar Lay and Tems were arrested for staging a concert in Uganda contrary to the COVID-19 guidelines. This caused a public outcry demanding for the release of the artistes. The duo was released yesterday and their charges dropped before they were returned to Nigeria.