Tension continues to brew within the entertainment industry after the government, through the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development this week released regulations that will be used to monitor and check the industry.
Artistes across the board are up in arms against the proposed Bill on Performing Artistes.
These regulations mainly focus on performing artistes, producers, event promoters, venue owners among other stakeholders of the entertainment industry.
Some of the proposed regulations are ‘every artiste should be registered under the Ministry of Labor, No artiste will be allowed to shoot a video without authorization from the Ministry, no artiste shall perform less than 60 minutes or above 120 minutes among others.’
But entertainment industry stakeholders are angry that the government is trying to stifle the industry it has neglected.
However, the President of the Federation of Performing Artistes in Uganda, Andrew Kibuuka has appealed to artists to remain calm.
Addressing the press at Bat Valley Theater in Kampala this morning, Kibuuka noted that the underlying issues will be resolved since they are to sit and come up with guidelines on the bill.
He also dismissed allegations by Joseph Tamale Mirundi and other promoters who include Andrew Mukasa of Bajo events that he received 1billion shillings from statehouse, a donation meant for producers, but he put the money to his personal use.
He claims the allegations are aimed at tainting the remarkable image he has managed to build over the years.
Meanwhile, a group of artists are currently holding a closed door meeting at Jahazi Pier, led by Eddy Kenzo, to lead a massive boycott against the regulations arguing that before the policy was drafted, the line ministry should have involved them.
The BET award-winning artiste argues that the rules will suffocate young talent and kill creativity.
The said regulations are still in the pipeline and yet to be imposed. However, the government has plans of using these regulations to shape and regulate the entertainment.
We will keep you updated on the developments.
