AS National Resistance Movement (NRM) celebrates 34 years in power this weekend (26th January 2020 in Ibanda), we take a look at how Entertainment Industry has thrived under this regime which is under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
In 1986, when NRA took over power there was entertainment but not at the level it is at today.
With stability and peace created by NRM prevailing, the environment for improved entertainment industry was created and this didn’t take long for Ugandans to see change in the industry.
From singers to actors to entertainment venues, all these ones have developed tremendously under the NRM government with the prevailing freedom of speech and resources to use.
While it was very difficult to host music concert those days because of security reasons, it is easy these days because the venues are very secure and very available.
The likes of lates; Elly Wamala, Philly Lutaaya, Paul Kafeero were very brilliant musician but the political atmosphere at the time they were shining wasn’t conducive to their work. The late Lutaaya had to shift to Sweden because of political instabilities in Uganda at that time.
While promoters in 80s and 90s used to bring musicians from outside Uganda especially Congolese, this has since ceased after the rising of Ugandan singers like Jose Chameleone, Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine, Juliana Kanyomozi, Iryn Namubiru, Afrigo band become more popular under NRM. These and more led the overthrow and influx of foreign musicians in Uganda. They have become household names not only in Uganda but also East Africa and beyond.
While meeting singer Eddy Kenzo real name Idrissa Musuza in October last year at State House Entebbe, President Yoweri Museveni congratulated Eddy Kenzo, one of Uganda’s high sounding and outgoing personality in the music industry, for making very good achievements in the music and entertainment sector.
“I want to congratulate Kenzo for making very good contribution in music. He was a street boy and an orphan but he had a talent of singing,” said President Museveni.
President Museveni used the occasion of his meeting with musician Eddy Kenzo to appeal to the youths in Uganda to emulate the example of Mr. Kenzo to get out of poverty by exploiting their talents fully.
“I appeal to the youths to use his example to get out of poverty by using their talents. If you are not singing, you can do it by farming, innovations and painting, among others, he said.
He noted that the musicians have prospered because of performing good entertainments in Uganda adding that this is possible because of the prevailing peace provided by the NRM government. He observed that Uganda is an easy destination for investment in comparison to other destinations mainly because of the prevailing peace.
Not only musicians have developed but also other entertainers like comedians, actors, fashionista.
There was barely any comedian in Uganda before but look at how comedy has sprung up and led its own revolution in entertainment.
With the environment favouring one to what they want, there was birthday of comedy in Uganda which has seen several young Ugandans earn big from the industry and are now international recognized. The Amarula Family was one of the groups that led to comedy revolution. The comedy has since given birth to stars like Amooti, Alex Muhangi, Patrick Idringi Salvado, Prince Emma, Mendo Herbert Ssegujja who himself has a household name imitating His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Anne Kansiime who has gone to shine on the world stage as a comedienne, the Fun Factory group has a lot full of talent making it big on comedy.
The film industry has also been on the rise with many Ugandans joining and creating movies and films that have seen many theatres come up to show these films. Forget about Hollywood movies and Nigeria, Uganda we now also have Kina-Uganda and our theaters have been proudly showing such films. Look at The Ebonies and Bakayimbira Dramactors, Deception, Hostel and several others have come up to act Series that being show on our televisions and cinemas.
While attending a concert to mark 33 years of acting for Mr Sam Bagenda aka Dr. Bbosa in December last year at Theatre La Bonita, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni lauded the dramatists for taking advantage of the peace brought by his government to develop their talent.
“With peace ushered in by the NRM, people are bound to exhibit talents in all aspects; Preachers will preach, actors will act, artistes will compose and sing, farmers will flourish in fields, herders will tend, everyone will get chance to showcase their God-given talent,” M7 said.
You can’t talk about entertainment without mentioning Radios and Televisions, before NRM came to power there was only one Television and Radio (both UBC). At the moment they are close to 15 TV Stations and over 300 Radio stations. With these stations, entertainers have had the chances to showcase their talents and this has led the industry to develop at a faster rate.
During this regime, we have had many earn big being Master of ceremonies and Deejays at different entertainment centres and social events. This wasn’t the case before.
Fashion industry which is also under entertainment has come up and we have had a number of Ugandan become creative in field. We have seen people like Anita Beryl, Stellah Atal, Sylvia Owori, Fatumah Asha, Judith Heard, Ahumuza Brian aka Abryanz, Jenny Linda do wonders in style and fashion. They have created different labels which have won them accolades not only in Uganda but also abroad. Televisoion fashion shows have also been allowed to air and this improved on how stars can style themselves especially when hitting stages.
Music promoters like Balaam Barugahara and others have not struggled to get gigs because they have musicians to use.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of recent while attending concerts of Bebe Cool, Catherine Kusasira and Sam Bagenda aka Dr. Bbosa pledged support to entertainers so as boost their careers.
The NRM has recently created a platform to help entertainers and these days, the president meets different groups of entertainers to see who to support them in their field. This surely shows that Entertainment industry is headed for even better working environment.
Congratulations to NRM upon this milestone
