KAMPALA – Dax Vibez real name Bugembe Ivan Ssentamu, a singer and young brother to Kyadondo East Member of parliament Robert Kyagulanyi, has made it clear to government that artists don’t need the Shs 6.6 billion that was reportedly set aside by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to bail out artists who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government has been bailing out certain organized groups of people with financial capital to recover from the losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic with the latest being the teachers SACCO where the president injected a whooping Ugx 5billion
According to the Mayumba Kkumi singer, the government just needs to create a working framework that is geared towards artists and performers in the creative industry having their earned money rather than bribing them with six billion. He advised the government to relax the restrictions for the music industry that it initially put in place to curb the spread of the Coid-19 pandemic.
“I can now clearly see that the government hates artists but needs to use us. I am of the thought that what Ugandan Artists need is not the #6billion bribe. Just let us perform, open the bars and show grounds because it is not only the artists that will gain from this but also security, food vendors, media houses, printers, sound providers,” he explained.
Dax Vibes’ appeal followed reports that made rounds on social media revealing how the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development had set aside a huge stimulus sum of Shs 6.6 billion to bail out creatives who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on the information coming in from the National Cultural Forum (NCF), they are yet to confirm the stimulus fund.
After reports going viral about the disclosed amount of money, many people wondered how all creative will be able to get part of this money.
Seasoned entertainment journalist and popular TV personality Douglas Lwanga took to his socials to question if the funds will be evenly distributed.
“Thank you for the 6.6 Billion money to bail out the artists, however how will it be distributed? Who is eligible to get?” he asked.
Lwanga also called upon whoever is concerned on the development to let the process be clear and open so as to avoid fights and division within the music industry due to these funds.
