By Our Reporter
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has passed a new directive that requires every musician intending to renew their passport to submit documents that prove they actually studied music. This means that most musicians will have no Ugandan passports if this directive is implemented.
Some of the musicians to be affected include Bebe Cool, Jose Chameleone, Ziza Bafana and many others. The few safe musicians include Bobi Wine.
While reacting to this piece of news; Joe Tabula had this to say;
“Ministry of internal affairs forcing Ugandans, to forge documents. Reports coming from the above ministry indicate that any musician or artists who wants to renew their passports are required to produce formal documents as proof that they actually studied music!
This is a sector which accommodates anyone with talent regardless of any formal music training or education, how then do you expect all musicians to have documents such as certificates in music, diplomas, degrees, etc!
How many music schools do we have in Uganda? In addition, for the few that we have, how long have they been operating to be able to train all Ugandan musicians that might need passports?
And this being a must requirement, how do u then expect those musicians with no formal music/art education/training to prove they are musicians in order for them to have their passports renewed or granted as its their right to own one! To make matters worse they go on to advise those without this requirement to sign for their passports as business men!!!!
Please!!U are living us no option, but to forge such documents! It’s a very sad situation as to how things are done in this country Uganda!!
I therefore kindly urge that very “intelligent official” that came up with this crazy idea, to apply common sense…and make some adjustments asap.”
BigEye.ug will bring you a full list of music artistes to be affected.