Ugandan musicians have come out and denounced the document released on Wednesday by the Uganda Promoters Association that sets the rates at which promoters will be hiring various Ugandan artists to perform at any event.
The document, according to promoters, aims to protect their business with all the risks involved and prevent them from being overcharged by musicians.
According to the document, musician and politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, commands a Shs20 million fee to perform anywhere in Uganda. David Lutalo is next at Shs6 million, followed by Sheebah Karungi at Shs5.5 million, Eddy Kenzo at Shs5 million, Jose Chameleone at Shs4 million, Winnie Nwagi at Shs4 million, Rema Namakula at Shs4 million, Juliana Kanyomozi at Shs4m, Pallaso Shs3.5m, Azawi Shs2.4m, Ykee Benda Shs2.5m, Fik Fameica at Shs2.3 million, Vinka Shs2m, B2C Shs2m, and Bebe Cool is valued at Shs1.5m.
The promoters, however, have come under fire from artists who have urged them to stop hiring performers whose fees they can’t afford.
Additionally, musicians requested that they stop requiring artists to perform at a lower level because it is not their responsibility to determine the rate at which each and every artist in Uganda should be booked.
“If you can’t afford an artist, please don’t hire them. You can’t force an artist to step down to your standards. “Mukendeeze Akamanyiro” (reduce familiarity), please,” said Cinderella Sanyu aka Cindy, President of the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA).
Similarly, singer Spice Diana real name Hajjarah Namukwaya said,
“Promoters are not serious. Where do they get the audacity to price what does not belong to them? Artists invest time, money, and energy to be in favor of fans, who become the revenue for these promoters.”
“You people mind your business. Stop involving yourself in matters that don’t concern you,” said Pallaso.