Several local artists in Karamoja boycotted the Karamoja Youth Wake Up Rally held last Friday in Moroto Municipality, protesting what they described as unfair payment and continued exploitation by government organizers.
The rally, organized by the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, was themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Prosperity” and aimed to engage youth through lectures, community dialogues, and entertainment.
It also included evaluations of government youth programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and a community Baraza. State minister for Youth and Children’s Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, was the guest of honour.
However, despite the ambitious agenda, many activities failed to take place. Entertainment and feasting were the only events that proceeded though even these were disrupted by a standoff with local artists.
“We have woken up”
The core of the artists’ frustration stemmed from the Shs 200,000 token fee offered to each performer, a sum they say disrespects their talent and underestimates their contribution.
“We have woken up, as the theme says. We shall no longer accept any form of exploitation,” said Zachues Nangiro, popularly known as Enzehd.
“We’re tired of being used. Yes, we love the government, but this is unacceptable. We’re boycotting as a group, the artists, the dancers, the MCs.”
Nangiro recounted a similar incident during a past peace concert, where Shs 10 million was shared among 200 performers, sparking commotion and bitterness among creatives. He also criticized the limited mobilization, saying the rally failed to represent the entire Karamoja sub-region, focusing only on Moroto district.
Another artist, Julius Lemukol, known as Shongz, echoed the sentiments, calling out what he described as a pattern of disrespect towards Karamoja musicians.
“We’re not cheap, our art is not cheap. Shs 200,000 is only a price for a second-hand shoe for an artist for example. Maybe let’s say even Shs 300,000. Mr Sir, our value is at least Shs 2 million,” said Lemukol.
Moses Awas, aka Gwills, said Karamoja’s artists are routinely underrated and used for political mileage.
“You can’t expect a serious artist to perform for Shs 200,000,” he said. “Recording a song in a local studio costs at least Shs 300,000. So how do you perform for less than that?”
Raphael Nyanga, alias Art Angel Tyma, noted that artists have long contributed to national causes singing about peace, health, and education, yet remain ignored and underpaid.
Promoter James Muya also criticized the organizers for importing sound equipment from Kampala while sidelining local DJs, MCs, and technicians, undermining local industry growth.
Boniface Angura, known as MC Bonz, said there is zero government appreciation for Karamoja’s entertainment industry, calling for tailored programs to empower local talent.
On the other side of the standoff, Emmy Markson Aleper, alias Evy Treyz, chairperson of the Karamoja Musicians Association and lead mobilizer for the rally, defended the budget allocation.
“We were instructed to invite only 20 top artists. The total artist budget was Shs 3 million, meant to cater for singers, dancers, DJs, and MCs,” Aleper explained.
According to him, the original plan was to pay five key artists Shs 500,000 each, but pressure from other artists to be included forced the budget to be spread thin, resulting in the controversial Shs 200,000 per artist payment.
The boycott has ignited fresh conversations around the valuation of creative work in Karamoja, with many artists saying they’re tired of being tokens in events meant to celebrate and empower youth.
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