Nakaseke South MP Paulson Luttamaguzi has sharply criticised Ugandan musicians and event promoters for what he described as a culture of dependency and public begging, following an embarrassing incident in Gulu involving a failed attempt to meet Gen Salim Saleh.
A group of promoters led by events organiser Abby Musinguzi, popularly known as Abitex, travelled to Gulu City over the weekend hoping to meet the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) national coordinator.
However, the group was reportedly apprehended and denied access, having arrived without an official invitation.
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According to reports, the promoters intended to question why Gen Saleh was allegedly offering financial support to selected artists while ignoring others in the entertainment industry, particularly event promoters.
Speaking on Sanyuka TV on Monday, Luttamaguzi said the incident was a well-deserved humiliation and should serve as a lesson.
He criticised the tendency of artists and promoters to rely on government handouts rather than earning through their work.
"We have never approved any money in Parliament for artists or promoters," Luttamaguzi said.
"That money is being taken from the national treasury to buy love. If you are giving money to promoters today, what about builders? I felt happy seeing some being beaten. Please stop begging in your own country. Organise concerts, perform, and earn from your work."
He also questioned the legality and fairness of the funds being distributed to individual artists, stressing that such allocations had never been passed by Parliament.
He asked whether artists and promoters were more deserving of state support than taxi drivers, boda boda riders, or farmers.
Luttamaguzi further criticised the growing involvement of creatives in political lobbying, arguing that it was never this way in the past and has eroded the dignity of the music and arts sector.
In response, Abitex defended the trip to Gulu, saying the group had genuine concerns.
He cited cases where prominent artists such as Jose Chameleone allegedly received hundreds of millions for personal needs like medical treatment, while the promoters who support these artists were neglected.
"We wanted to ask why people like Jose Chameleone, who drink heavily and fall sick, are given large sums for treatment, while those of us who promote their music are ignored," said Abitex.
The Gulu incident has reignited debate about fairness and transparency in the distribution of state funds to the entertainment industry, and whether Uganda's creatives should rely on public money or strive for self-sustaining business models.
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