In his letter dated 20th February, 2025, professor Okaka Opio Dokotum the chairperson board of trustees of the Uganda National Culture Centre (UNCC) refuted claims of recommending through minutes of their board to Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) the banning of vulgar songs of Yasin Mukasa commonly known as Lil Pazo and Gereson Wabuyi alias Omutujju.
“Unfortunately, the UNCC Board of Trustees did not discuss that matter in any of its meetings and as such we do not have minutes proceedings and decisions on the ban of the above songs,” professor Opio’s letter reads in part.
He was responding to the request made by maverick city lawyer Male Mabirizi to confirm the explanation from Nyombo Thembo the UCC Chief Executive Officer who disclosed to him that his agency took the decision of banning of Enkudi, Doze, Okwepicha and Omunio on the recommendation from UNCC.
Mabirizi exclusively revealed to this website that there was no such a meeting which resulted in the said recommendations insisting that the decision and recommendations were made solely by Josephine Mugerwa the UNCC vice chairperson and she should be legally accountable for the illegality she committed.
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However, this website has established that professor Opio’s letter has revealed the ongoing silent fights between musicians, the minister of Gender labour and social development appointed on the board of trustees of UNCC as members and their chairperson technical staff who accuse them of undermining and disrespecting them.
The technical staff is accusing the board members representing musicians who include: Mugerwa, Joseph Mayanja (Chameleon), Moses Ssali (Bebe Cool), Lilian Mbabazi of always taking decisions without the involvement of the chairperson, other members like Dr Richard Komakech who represents culture and natural heritage, Juliana Naumo the Commissioner culture and family affairs, Hannington Bugingo who represents performing arts and celebrations.
“Apart from the decision of recommending to UCC that they ban Gravity Omutujju and Lil Pazo’s songs, those members, without consulting other members led by Bebe Cool recommended that at every sitting, the technical wing should make sure that the food and drinks they take are served from Cafe Javas not any other restaurant,” a source said.
They are also protesting the procedure used by the Attorney Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Gender Minister Betty Amongi Akena to drop Halima Namakula and replace her with Mbabazi and to drop Charles Batambuze and replace him with Bugingo. Their names were taken to cabinet for approval like it was done to other members on the board.
Sources within UNCC revealed to this website that there is fear among technical staff that they are going to lose their jobs on the recommendation of musicians sitting on the board who want all offices to be allocated to fellow musicians because the UNCC was established to cater for their problems and regulate musicians.
As the internal fights proceed, this reporter has seen a letter to minister Amongi where lawyer Mabirizi is seeking for an explanation as a concerned citizen on why Amongi appointed Mugerwa as the vice chairperson of the board trustee.
He says that the said office and position was not established in the Uganda National Cultural Centre Act
“What did Joseph Mugerwa give to you? Are you aware that her actions mostly taken singularly like banning Gravity Omutujju and Lil Pazo’s songs are null and void? Decisions taken by the board which is not properly constituted are null and void? (And) you are personally liable for this clear illegality,” Mabirizi’s letter reads in parts.
He advised the minister with immediate effect to cancel the appointment of Mugerwa as the vice chairperson of UNCC explaining that it is the only way she will survive criminal proceedings against her as a person.
The minister has not yet responded to Mabirizi’s letter and efforts to get her comment over the matter were futile.
