'Learn from Nigerians' - Ugandan musicians criticised for sitting out online protest

Majority of Ugandan artists and entertainers have opted to sit out the ongoing protest against poor services in Uganda.

Ugandan musicians and other players in the entertainment industry have been called out for sitting on the fence as their fans took to social media to demand for better social services from government.

There’s hardly been any major voices coming out from Ugandan entertainers for the past 10 days when the protests kicked off; first about the poor state of roads, and this week against the struggling health sector.

And it didn’t take long for Ugandans to take notice of the loud silence.

“Most of our musician are selfish,” tweeted one Hassan Lutaaya.

“They are waiting to give their views and opinions on who is number one musician, they hate interviews about issues that concern the general public, they are waiting to criticize you for bringing politics into their business.”

The organiser of the online protests, Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo also called out Ugandan Musicians for their silence.

“You’re blessed with a huge following and audience. People stand with you when you need them. But do you stand with them when they desperately need someone to speak of their pains?” he tweeted.

Other commentators rushed to draw contrast between Ugandan artistes and their Nigerian counterparts, who on several occasions have been on the forefront of protests against their government’s brutality and injustice.

“Nigerians musicians are the only ones who understand their power… but come to Uganda u will only see like 8 out of the 100 plus; they are all quiet waiting for oppressed Ugandans to attend their concerts WE SHALL BOYCOTT THEM!” another Twitter user ranted.

In Nigeria during last year’s #EndSars protests against police clampdown on unarmed citizens, artists such as, Davido, Burna Boy, Wiz Kid, Tiwa Savage, and Mr Eazi used the platforms to demand justice.

As they piled more pressure and were joined by others from outside the country such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Chance the Rapper, the Government of Nigeria was compelled to dissolve the notorious police unit known as SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad)

Yet in Uganda so far, only a handful of celebrities have joined in the #UgandaRoadsExihibition and the #UgandaHealthExibition protests.

Singer Brono K is one of the few, who vowed to use is platform to advance the cause, tweeting Tuesday, “Am going to be using my handle to push #UgandaHealthExhibition. Dm , if you have any information you want me to share. For God and my country”

Bruno also had a special message for his colleagues in the industry.

“Dear Ugandan Musicians, this is the time we need to stand with the people. Let's not stay silent. If we speak up, the people at the top will definitely listen.”

Top comedian Salvado Idiringi sought to chime in on the debate yesterday, but only to “give credit” to the achievements of the government in the health sector, and stressing that “it’s not all doom.”