Yoweri Museveni’s Government has a few ground rules for Ugandan artists.
The Ugandan government plans to introduce new laws into their entertainment industry that will require artists performing outside the country to obtain relevant permission. The E Daily reported that through the Ministry of Culture, President Yoweri Museveni’s government says the proposed laws will serve to protect the industry and its ethics.
In a statement released last week, the government intends to introduce strict measures against any artist that performs in provocative or indecent dressing as well as under the influence of any form of illegal drugs.
According to a report by Reuters Africa, among other regulations are “a range of restrictions including requiring artists to submit lyrics for songs and scripts for film and stage performances to authorities to be vetted.
Content deemed to contain offensive language, to be lewd or to copy someone else’s work, will be censured, the Minister said. Musicians will also have to seek government permission to perform outside Uganda.”
Musicians and other artists will also have to register with the government and obtain a practicing license which can be revoked for a range of violations.
“Any artist or entertainer who fails to register with the Ministry responsible for culture for a period of three months from the date of announcement of the registration shall be discontinued from practicing in Uganda and any artist or entertainer who fails to submit his or her works shall be discontinued from practicing in Uganda for a period not later than six (6) months,” reads the statement in part.
The proposed new laws will also bar anyone not registered with the country’s Ministry of Culture from organizing any event. The proposed changes have led to a massive outcry from Ugandan artists with many dismissing it as a plot to cripple their financial incomes.
Many of the country’s top artists, led by ‘Sitya Loss’ hitmaker Eddy Kenzo, has reportedly organized a meeting to rubbish the proposed amendments.
