Amongi to Lobby for Ugx 5bn Allocation towards Event Promoters SACCOs

Gender minister Hon. Betty Amongi has promised to lobby for a separate budget of around Ugx 5 billion for the different SACCO’s of Ugandan music promoters and event organizers.

The minister made the promise after a meeting with the different promoters who had threatened to demonstrate if they are not included in government financial empowerment programs.

In an interview with the media, Amongi said that she’s going to consult with the finance ministry to see whether they will be considered in the next supplementary budget.

“In that meeting, I was tasked to sit down with the promoters and listen to their concerns. The government had released some funds to musicians, but the promoters raised complaints that they were given too little. After our discussion, we concluded that I would present their concerns to President Museveni and lobby for a separate budget specifically for promoters,” she said.

She urged the promoters to remain calm and not to demonstrate, assuring them that their concerns are being addressed.

“I spoke to them and asked for their patience as the government works on their issues because it has capacity to handle them as it did during the COVID 19 lock down,” she added

In a separate interview, state minister for youth and children Hon Balaam Barugahara said that promoters are part of the creative industry and they shouldn’t be sidelined by the government

“ Without them, the music industry cannot survive and it’s the reason why I am supporting their call for funding by the state,” he stated.