)
)
Singer Jose Chameleone has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the recent Coffee Marathon and Concert held in Ntungamo.
The event, which aimed to celebrate the country’s coffee industry, drew criticism due to the apparent mistreatment of local artists in comparison to their international counterparts.
While the event featured high-profile international performers such as Diamond Platnumz and The Ben from Rwanda, Ugandan artists led by Eddy Kenzo, expressed dissatisfaction over the treatment they received.
During a TikTok livestream, Chameleone said there were mistakes made during the event and called for learning from the experience.
)
)
)
“I saw what happened with the Coffee Marathon. It was a mistake. I was busy, I could not share my own views. But every time something negative happens, the smart ones will pick lessons. We learn from our mistakes,” Chameleone said.
“There were mistakes with that event and we all saw them. We need to start from there and clean up.”
Calls for Fair Treatment of Local Artists
The controversy stemmed from the apparent disparity in treatment between international and local artists.
Eddy Kenzo, President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation, expressed his frustration with the event’s organisation, noting that while international stars like Diamond Platnumz were given lavish accommodations and substantial payments, local artists were offered minimal compensation and subpar facilities.
Kenzo stated that Diamond Platnumz reportedly earned hundreds of thousands of dollars for his performance and was provided with three chartered flights to move around.
In contrast, local artists felt neglected and underappreciated. This, he said, was the reason he skipped a pre-concert press conference.
However, veteran musician Bebe Cool defended the organisers, stating that big international acts like Diamond Platnumz play an important role in marketing Uganda’s coffee industry, especially in the East African region and beyond.
The controversy has led to calls for greater accountability and transparency in future events.
Many stakeholders in Uganda’s music industry are urging both the government and event organisers to ensure fair treatment of local talent.