Musicians demand immediate opening of their sector as Nigeria’s Omah Lay performs in Munyonyo

The Uganda Music Association, UMA a body that brings together musicians in the country has condemned what they termed as discrimination by Ugandan police and the organizer of Big Brunch a musical stage show that took place on 12^th December 2020.

The event which has faced a lot of criticism took place in Munyonyo and was organized by Kasana event. It was headlined by a Nigerian musician, Omah Lay of Lolo fame.

Ugandans in the entertainment industry and other members of the public have since taken to social media to accuse government and especially security organs of double standards, for allowing a foreigner perform in a country where the entertainment industry is still banned from working due to the COVID19 pandemic.

President Yoweri Museveni announced a lockdown in March this year. Despite lifting the lock on many sectors, the entertainment sector which covers bars, music events and clubs is still not allowed to open for business.

However, many were left gutted that a Nigerian Act flew into the country, obtained a work permit and performed for a crowd with hundreds of revelers.

“We have on several cases proposed to our lining ministry through our apex body National Culture Forum-NCF measures to open our industry or offer a Stimulus Package, in vain. The selective action has left many of our members disturbed and anxious, we demand that our sector is opened henceforth” Phina Mugerwa the association’s secretary wrote in a press release on Sunday.

Many people were disturbed by images from the concert showing huge crowds without social distance or even masks as per the Ministry of health guidelines. Many musicians wondered if they are the root cause of the pandemic in Uganda.