By BigEyeUg Team
The long-standing rift between Uganda’s top two musicians’ bodies — the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA) and the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) — may finally be a thing of the past.
UMA President Cindy Sanyu has confirmed that the two groups have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate and work toward shared goals in the music industry.
The UNMF, led by singer Eddy Kenzo, and UMA have had a turbulent relationship in the past, often appearing to pull in different directions. However, this latest development signals a turning point.
“In the very beginning, as UMA, we had the wave of UNMF and there was so much friction between us,” Cindy shared. “But about two weeks ago, we sat down with them and we decided to design an MOU, a way to work together — and right now we are actually working together.”
According to Cindy, the unity does not necessarily mean merging into one entity or sharing physical premises, but rather, aligning on key objectives. Among the top priorities is lobbying for the betterment of the music industry in Uganda.
This development is likely to be welcomed by many musicians who have been calling for a unified front to address industry challenges such as copyright protection, welfare concerns, and professional development.
With both UMA and UNMF now aligned in purpose, the Ugandan music industry could be on the verge of a more coordinated and impactful future.