When President Museveni announced a massive UGX 1.5 billion bailout for Ugandan music promoters, the industry thought its prayers had finally been answered.
The cash was meant to revive events, support promoters through SACCO loans, and put real money back into the pockets of people who make the shows happen .
Instead, a few weeks later, the story has flipped from rescue package to who stole the money?
How the bailout was supposed to help
The UGX 1.5 billion package was meant to give Uganda’s music promoters a lifeline, especially after tough times in the event business. The idea was to support promoters through SACCO loans, help revive shows, and put some real money back into the people who keep the live music scene moving.
For many in the industry, this looked like the kind of support they had been waiting for. But the excitement did not last long, because questions about who controlled the money started popping up almost immediately.
Why the money started raising eyebrows
Very soon after the bailout was announced, the story shifted from relief package to investigation material. The CID and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit began calling in top officials from the Uganda Music Promoters SACCO to explain how the funds were handled and shared.
Names that came up in the drama
People linked to the questioning reportedly included Paul Katongole, Godfrey Mayanja, Yasin Kawesi, Abbey Musinguzi, better known as Abitex, and Zaidi Kafeero. Inside the SACCO, some members started saying the money was not reaching everyone it was supposed to reach.
That is where the tension really picked up. Instead of one united industry celebrating a win, the whole thing started looking like a tug of war over access, leadership, and influence.
Promoters turning on each other
If you have followed Uganda’s event scene for a while, you already know promoter beef is nothing new. But this time, the stakes are much bigger because the argument is tied to State House money and a very public bailout.
What some members are claiming
Some promoters are accusing certain people of taking over the process and locking others out. The common complaint is that the bailout meant for many was controlled by only a few at the top.
How the accused are responding
Abitex has publicly brushed off the accusations, saying they are baseless and politically motivated. Still, the drama has not died down, especially because some critics say key documents have not been fully shared to clear the air.
What this could mean for the industry
This is no longer just gossip around the music scene. If investigators find that money was mismanaged, diverted, or stolen, there could be serious legal trouble, including charges, refunds, or other penalties under Uganda’s anti-corruption and cooperative laws.
There is also a bigger worry in the background. Some MPs and industry voices fear this scandal could make the government think twice before supporting the creative sector again, even though the music business still needs serious help.
Why artists and promoters are watching closely
A lot of artists and promoters are already struggling, so any setback on government support could hit hard. At the same time, this case has become a test of whether public money meant for the creative industry can actually be managed properly.
What happens next
For now, all eyes are on the CID and the Anti-Corruption Unit to see what comes out next. The biggest questions are still the same: was this bailout badly managed, or did someone simply eat the money?
Either way, this Uganda music money story is far from over, and it is one that the whole industry will be watching very closely.
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