Singer cum politician Ronald Mayinja has revealed what is driving musicians into politics: “We have never wanted politics. It is nasty and rubbish,” he told journalists on August 7, 2019, at the National Theatre during a meeting organized by the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA). “We are only competing for Parliamentary seats for the betterment of the entertainment industry.”
He added: “What the government has done is to collect revenue from us. Instead of rendering us help, the government introduced revenue that split our music groups. They have killed many of our bands. Joining politics will help us get closer and express our pain.”
Mayinja narrated that at some point the government froze the accounts of their (then) Eagle’s Production, leading to an exodus of artistes because they could not be able to pay them.
“Such things have happened to Chameleon, Bobi Wine and many others,” he said with remorse.
He urged artistes to unite and seek for the formation of their own ministry as well as establish a radio and TV to promote their industry.
“Media houses only use us to access the audience, get ads and dump us,” he claimed.
