The Uganda Musicians Association elections are currently turning into a hot property after the latest development. The news indicates that UMA has again suspended these elections until further notice.
The UMA board this week stated that the elections would go ahead as slated today 28th June 2022. Mr. Jeff Ekongot, the UMA Electoral chairman had reiterated that their plan would go on as scheduled. This was despite an issuance by the Ministry of Gender suspending the elections after consultations with the Uganda National Cultural Forum. Ekongot while speaking to the media said that the Ministry had no authority to interfere in UMA’s business.
He threatened that the board would vacate its duties and hand them to the Ministry if it halted it. However, he and his committee seem to have bowed to the pressure as he confirmed the postponement of the activities.
“As the policy board of UMA, we have agreed with the Ministry of Gender to cancel the elections. Being under the Ministry, the State Minister has agreed to help us prepare for this election fairly so that every musician in the country can be represented,” Jeff Ekongot said.
Many artists have disagreed on the way UMA planned to hold these elections. King Saha’s camp advocated for a ballot box or lining up in the back. This was indeed granted but it highly meant that its only artists from Kampala who would vote. This is due to the cost of transportation and accommodation while in Kampala for those artistes outside the city.
It’s a thing that veteran musician Ragga Dee voiced. The singer who doubles as Chairman National Culture Forum, a body that houses all associations in the arts sector said that the elected artiste will only be a president for musicians in Kampala. That outside won’t recognize them, therefore a need to organize an all-inclusive election. By time of filing this story, the National Theatre gardens where the elections were to take place from are free with no business going on.
