When President Museveni announced a massive UGX 1.5 billion bailout for Uganda’s 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?”
From Blessing to Police Summons
It didn’t take long before the music bailout turned spicy.
By early February, CID and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit were summoning top officials of the Uganda Music Promoters SACCO over allegations that the money was being eaten by a few big boys at the top.
Those called in for questioning reportedly included big industry names like Paul Katongole, Godfrey Mayanja, Yasin Kawesi, Abbey Musinguzi (better known as Abitex), and Zaidi Kafeero.
Inside the SACCO, some members started shouting foul play, claiming the cash meant for all promoters had instead been captured by a small clique .
CID boss Tom Magambo confirmed that detectives are digging into how the funds were shared and whether any laws were broken .
Promoters Turning on Each Other
If you’ve followed Uganda’s events scene, you know promoter beef is nothing new - but this time the stakes are higher.
Old rivalries inside the promoters’ groups have now exploded into the open, with fingers pointed at each other over who exactly is benefiting from State House money.
Names like Abitex, Balaam, Bajjo and others have long been linked to fights over leadership, bookings, and who controls big concerts and government connections.
Now, with billions on the table, accusations of “you ate for us” and “you hijacked the SACCO” are flying around the industry .
Some members accuse Abitex of taking over the whole process and sidelining others, while he has publicly dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated .
However, reports say he has not fully shared documentation that could clear the air, which only keeps the drama hotter .
Could Jail Time Be Next?
This is no longer just promoter gossip—it’s now a legal issue.
If investigators confirm that money was mismanaged, diverted or stolen, those involved could face serious charges under Uganda’s anti-corruption and cooperative laws, with possible jail terms and orders to refund the cash.
Meanwhile, MPs and industry voices are warning that this scandal could scare government away from directly supporting the music sector again, at a time when many artists and promoters are already broke and struggling .
The creative industry employs thousands but still contributes very little to the formal economy, which makes this kind of bailout extremely sensitive .
For now, all eyes are on what CID and the Anti-Corruption Unit will reveal next.
Was the bailout a genuine lifeline that got mismanaged, or just another season of Uganda’s never-ending “who chopped the money” series?
Stay locked on Salamuziki for the next episode
