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Tayebwa made the remarks on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle while responding to concerns from different Ugandans on why he had shown interest in a musical battle between Ugandan music icons Jose Chameleone and Bebe Cool.
“Reading through the comments on my suggestion for a battle between Jose Chameleone and Bebe Cool, I am surprised at how some Ugandans can think that because one occupies a critical position in Government, he or she should be like a robot without a life and empathy,” he said.
He said that the global creative industry, according to Goldman Sachs, is worth over $150 billion, while the Uganda Performance Rights Society estimates Uganda’s creative industry will employ over 500,000 people by 2030 with revenues of sh 280 billion.
“To say there are more important things to do than promote the music industry is a clear indication of the neglect, stigmatisation, and lack of understanding of what this sector contributes to our GDP. The global creative industry, according to Goldman Sachs, is worth over $150 billion. The Uganda Performance Rights Society estimates this industry to employ over 500,000 people by 2030, with revenues of sh 280 billion."
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He added, “Currently, it contributes sh 140 billion to our economy. It stimulates our tourism sector with global stars such as Eddy Kenzo and The Ghetto Kids, among others. As leaders, we cannot ignore such a sector. It needs a lot of support, ranging from legal reforms to deliberate economic interventions. Moreover, music heals, and some of us seek refuge in it when the going gets tough.”