Everyday that passes, the race for Uganda Musicians Associations next leadership tightens as candidates are doing everything possible to sell their ideologies to their voters.
True to that, the election that was widely thought of as an only Kampala musicians election took another twist when it was announced that its a general election allover the country with all registered UMA members allover the country taking part. The move further called for survival for the fittest as candidates were now required to campaign allover the country to seek for votes that will get them into the leadership of the musicians body which houses the biggest members among all associations in Uganda’s Culture, Arts and Creatives Sector.
In a bid to sell her ideologies to all musicians allover the country, songstress Phina Mugerwa popularly known as Phina Masanyalaze has taken it a notch higher by choosing to hold physical on ground campaigns in various regions of the country. Starting with the West Nile region, Phina who is standing for the position of General Secretary met all the UMA members at Heritage Park Hotel in Arua City on Thursday Mid morning.
Speaking to these artists, Phina highlighted some of the achievements she achieved together with the past UMA leadership before she went on to lay her manifesto to the artists. While addressing them, Phina emphasized the power of Unity amongst artists as the way to go in the fast growing music business.
“AS ARTISTS, WE NEED TO BE UNITED BECAUSE ITS THE ONLY WAY OUR VOICE CAN BE HEARD. IF WE ARE NOT UNITED, MASQUERADERS IN THE INDUSTRY WILL KEEP TAKING WHAT IS OURS” SHE SAID.
She further hinted on the interest to push for an entire ministry for the sector as a number one priority because at this point where the industry has structures, its only right for it to claim its rightful position and the only way to achieve that is by having a Ministry that will closely look at issues directly affecting artists.
Together in attendance was immediate past President of UMA Cindy Sanyu who is running for the same position and Singer Hanson Baliruno who is running for Vice Presidency. The pair too laid down their reasons for seeking leadership in the Musicians association.
Cindy Sanyu asked musicians to vote her back into office so as she finishes whatever she started. It should be noted that one of Cindy’s biggest achievement while in office was fighting and getting regional artists incorporated into UMA. Cindy who was endorsed by Singer BebeCool earlier this week asked West Nile musicians to vote wisely.
Hanson Baliruno has voluntarily worked with UMA in the past in their SACCO. According to him, its from this background that he chose to come on the main executive leadership of the body so as to work closely with other leaders to advocate for the industry.
The trio that kickstarted their campaigns in Arua on Thursday morning later moved to Gulu to meet with the musicians from that region. Speaking to us, Masanyalaze confirmed that they are set to move to all regions of the country to sell their ideologies because UMA is a national and not only a Kampala based association. The team is set to move to other regions till elections time.
UMA elections are set to happen on Monday 23 May 2022 but shortly before they do, there will be a Presidential debate for the candidates scheduled for Saturday 21st May 2022. With some artists in the race already choosing to travel the entire country in the quest for votes, the big question that remains is, Where does this leave others that have chosen to campaign online?
