By Stephen Kalema
Events managers and musicians have petitioned Parliament over Uganda Police Force’s actions towards banning music shows where Bobi Wine is involved.
On Thursday, the artistes, led by Golden Band singer Ronald Mayinja, Abitex promotions proprietor Abbey Musinguzi and coordinator for Uganda Music Promoters and Venues Owners Network (UMPONET) Tony Ssempijja told Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga that, Uganda Police Force has made it a deliberate move to block their music shows involving Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine. On top of all this, police has given them unrealistic guide lines if they are to hold music shows.
The artistes reported to Kadaga that whenever police cancels their shows, they are put in losses which has affected their business since most of them depend on loans.
“We are demanding for our independence as an entertainment industry. We are tired of police’s interference in our concerts over unclear conditions,” said Mayinja.
The petition follows Kadaga’s request on Tuesday to Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda to explain why police is blocking Bobi Wine’s show.
The artistes also want government to out clearly and tell the public that Bobi Wine is banned from performing on any music show instead of causing them losses.
Kadaga however, told them to wait for ministry of Internal Affairs to give a report on the banning Bobi Wine’s concert in the country.
“Parliament is going to handle this issue today during the debate. We are going to handle this,” said Kadaga.
Musinguzi noted that in case Parliament does not intervene in this matter, many events promoters are at risk of making losses which will lead them in prison and debt.
“One needs at least Shs500m to organize a concert in town. This money we normally get it through loans so when police just comes and cancels it that is total loss. However this is an attack on entertainment industry in the country and if police is not stopped this industry will die out, no one will invest in money again,” said Musinguzi.
Mayinja also noted that the conditions put by Police for any event to take place are totally unfriendly.
“These guidelines are against us from doing our job. They ordered us to put in place a fire brigade, police patrol, ambulance. Police itself has no capacity to provide us with fire brigades in all events in this festive seasons so how will a civilian manage this,” said Mayinja.
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