Bebe Cool wants local media houses to play 75% Ugandan music
Acting Uganda Musicians’ Association (UMA) President, Cindy Sanyu, together with her interim executive committee members, finally met and dined with the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao, on Wednesday, on behalf of the artists.
The group, which included Bebe Cool, comedian Hannington Bugingo, and Phina Mugerwa, among others, implored Mao to push for several amendments in the copyright law so that they can also earn something from their creatives.
Mao promised to involve them in the process of amending the law.
“This issue is already in the government offices, including the President’s office, and now it’s in my office. We are ready to cooperate with industry stakeholders and push for the right amendments,” said Mao.
The 55-year-old politician, a lawyer by profession, further assured the team that once the copyright law is changed, all artists will benefit because radio and TV stations, as well as telecom companies, among others, will be paying them to use their work.
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In the same vein, Bebe Cool appealed to Mao to direct Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to force radio and TV stations to play Ugandan music like Galaxy FM does.
The Zzina station plays 100.2% of Ugandan Music, 24/7, something which has enabled both established musicians and upcoming artists to make ends meet.
Bebe Cool explained that by forcing media houses to play more of the local music, it cripples foreign music and tactically stops the culprits from profit repatriation.
“There’s a system that is so simple in the industry, the Nigerians say ‘you don’t play other country’s music on our channels but you can choose a channel where you can mess with them and think they play in Nigeria,” the 45-year-old veteran musician stressed.
“So wake up in the morning and say UCC makes it a norm that 75% of music played on all local Radio and TV stations must be Ugandan and we already have apps that monitor that. That means that the government has stopped other foreign music that was getting royalties by 75% to take the money out of the economy,” he further fussed as Mao listened keenly.
Cindy thanked and lauded Mao for receiving UMA executives with open arms and accepting to work with the body, hand in hand, to elevate the music industry.
“We have approached many government officials before but none of them received us with open hands,” she said.
Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
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