Homegrown talent: A call for support for Ugandan musicians

Renowned Ugandan musician Toniks, also known as Allan Ampaire, delves into the underlying issue plaguing Uganda’s music industry, pointing out the prevalent tendency among music consumers to elevate foreign artistes above local talents.

During a recent interview, Toniks cited the example of Nigerian sensation, Qing Madi, whose successful concert at Lugogo highlighted the disparity in support between international acts and homegrown artistes.

Questioning the phenomenon, Toniks pondered how a relatively unknown artist like Madi could draw a larger crowd compared to established Ugandan musicians like Gravity Omutujju, raising concerns about a possible internal struggle with self-appreciation.

Nurturing Local Talent in a Globalized Music Industry

Toniks further emphasized the impact of cultural programming or preferences that seem to prioritize foreign content over domestic creativity, illustrating this with a personal anecdote about a music producer friend who shies away from his Ugandan identity when abroad, fearing judgment based on the country’s music trends.

Additionally, Toniks voiced his apprehension about the declining quality of Ugandan music, attributing it to the shift from traditional media platforms to social media, which has altered the landscape of music distribution and oversight, leading to a potential compromise in standards.