Opening of Concerts in Uganda by 24th January 2022!!!

Events promoters’ wants government to allow them stage some events during the festive season so they can make some ka money. During his last presidential, President Museveni gave Ugandans an assurance that the economy will fully open by January. “Be informed that schools will be opened in January and the rest of the economy will be opened in the same month,” he said. However, Ugandan events promoters feel January is too far and have therefore asked the government to at least allow them host shows during the festive season. They even promised to speed up the vaccination process by encouraging the public to be vaccinated through the adverts they will be making ahead of those shows. “The festive season is upon us and it’s during that period that we work most. We are appealing to the government to allow us hold shows on Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year then close us again on January 2nd 2022 if need be,” said Balaam Barugahara, an events promoter.

Prioritising Vaccination

Barugahara also promised that since the government has started securing vaccines in reasonable amounts, it could take advantage of concerts to increase awareness on the vaccines. According to the promoters, the cancelled music festivals and concerts have not only affected people in the industry but also businesses such as the media, foods and beverages, and transport, which greatly rely on entertainment. This call was made recently during the launch of the promoters’ Sacco at Sheraton Kampala Hotel. Called the National Events and Bivulu Promoters Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. This Sacco was formed with the main objective of uniting artistes and promoters to improve their welfare, as well as taking advantage of the government financial relief and wealth creation programs. The Sacco intends to give loans to members at low interest rates ranging between eight and 12 per cent. The formation of the Sacco comes after President Museveni promised to fund the entertainment industry with Shs20b. The first half coming after the formation of the Sacco and the rest after they have kicked off. The National Events and Bivulu Promoters Multipurpose Cooperative Society has Andrew Mukasa, alias Bajjo, as the chairman, deputised by Moses Lubulwa, aka Luba Events, while Balaam is the director of public relations. Other members on the committee include Musa Kavuma, commonly known as KT and Halima Namakula, among others. The event was also attended by Gender minister Betty Amongi Akena, Attorney General Kilyowa Kiwanuka, 3rd deputy Prime Minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama, Supreme Mufti Sheiks Kasule Ndilangwa, Pr Jessica Kayanja and the deputy national coordinator of the Emyooga programme Abdul Bisaso, who represented Gen Salim Saleh. Pr Wilson Bugembe as well as comedians Maulana and Reign entertained the guests.