During their visit at State
House in Entebbe, Kenzo, the President of the Uganda National Musicians
Federation (UNMF), brought up the urgent need to modify the Copyright &
Neighboring Rights Act 2006 among other matters with Museveni.
The Uganda Musicians
Association (UMA) President Cindy Sanyu wrote a petition to President Museveni
a few days prior, criticizing some of Kenzo's interactions with the government.
This was the immediate cause of the meeting.
She and other groups have
voiced their displeasure over the Shs. 18 billion that the government wants to
provide to the county's artists through UNMF; she worries that this amount may
only help a small number of people.
In order to assure the
continued expansion and worldwide competitiveness of this thriving sector, she
urged for "a holistic and inclusive approach."
Kenzo characterized his
meeting with Museveni as a “quest for streamlining our industry and lobbying
for a well functioning Music industry” in a social media post made last night.
He reported that after an
excellent debate at the conference, Museveni pledged to investigate the copyright
issue as soon as possible.
Kenzo claims that Museveni
granted a request for a meeting in order to present the Uganda National
Musicians Federation Leadership to him.
In that discussion, Kenzo
promised to provide the president with data regarding the extent to which the
federation has advanced in creating national frameworks for a more vibrant and
inclusive music business.