Kenzo says Cindy, Big Eye banged table after conflict on power-sharing deal

Geoffrey Jeff Ekongot, Cindy Sanyu and Big Eye on Friday, June 23 represented the Uganda Musicians Association (U.M.A.) at a meeting summoned by the Federation, which is headed by Eddy Kenzo.

According to Kenzo, "about 24 associations" attended the meeting. U.M.A., which is headed by Sanyu, was among the associations that agreed to join the Federation during that meeting.

"The truth is that they had agreed in front of all the associations that were present," said Kenzo while speaking to Dembe F.M.

Later, the trio, said Kenzo, changed its mind.

"But they later proposed power-sharing," said Kenzo, adding that they banged a table in disagreement.

Kenzo pointed them to the fact that some members of U.M.A. are already on the Federation's committee.

Hanson Baliruno, who is the vice president of U.M.A., is a chief whip in the Federation; Allan Toniks, a youth representative in U.M.A., is the deputy secretary in the Federation; and Phina Masanyalaze, who heads P.R. and Communications in the Federation, is U.M.A.'s general secretary.

However, Cindy had earlier said that U.M.A. members who are in the Federation are there as individuals, but they are not representing the Association.

Kenzo told Cindy, Big Eye and Ekongot that for them to assume leadership roles, they would need approval from all the associations.

Cindy has maintained her stance that U.M.A. will only join the Federation once they are sure their interests will be held.

"As Uma, we have always wanted to federate but it is the terms of federating which are an issue. If the terms are favourable, Uma will federate but for now let no one fool you, Uma hasn't joined the Uganda National Musicians Federation," she posted on Facebook after the meeting.

"The music industry is huge and inclusiveness is important. Let us not forget our allies eg Writers, producers, managers, publishers, etc It would make more sense to federate according to the value chain and not only us Musicians. Discussions are ongoing and we're working towards a positive result."

Meanwhile, both Eddy Kenzo and Big Eye dismissed reports that they fought.