By Javier Silas Omagor
Musicians and music fans in Teso Sub region have strongly backed Mansoor Ssemanda, alias King Saha who is vying for the topmost position in the country’s music industry leadership structure.
Saha, is one of the two hopefuls running for the Presidency of Uganda Musician Association (UMA), with veteran dancehall singer Cinderella Sanyu (Cindy, the King Herself) being the other candidate.
Over the weekend, Saha was in Pallisa district in Teso performing before tens of thousands who thronged Gogonyo Primary School to see the talented elite star.
Having commenced his Stage act with his former flagship mainstay songs, Saha signed out a strong eminent show with his latest hit, Zakayo as the crowd charmingly cheered him on.
Shortly after bowing out, the two masters of ceremony, Gogonyo County MP Derrick Orone and comedian RCC Dolokopiko asked the crowd to stretch their hands towards Saha and pray for him to win the race.
“As Teso entertainers, our support is fully for Saha and now we ask each one of you fans to pray for Saha before he leaves the Stage,” RCC Dolokopiko said.
MP Orone, assured fans that the music icon was headed for victory once the UMA elections are organized and conducted in a free and fair manner.
UMA election uncertainty
Uncertainty continues to surround the UMA elections which were recently postponed to a future date.
UMA elections that were supposed to be held at the National Theatre late last month (June) have been delayed due to what the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development described as legal and logistical issues.
However, the Minister, Betty Amongi promised to iron out issues with immediate effect so as to allow the exercise to take place.
State House tasks Saha on talent identification
As if that was not enough, the Senior Presidential Private Secretary on Women Affairs, Judith Ewichu, wished King Saha well in his bid before taking time to pray for him.
“This is the freedom our President (Yoweri Museveni) fought for. A country where other industries such as the entertainment where Saha belongs to, do well and independently make decisions that help its growth and that of the members,” Ewichu stated.
The State House official continued: “Talent development and identification is very vital for our music and sport, so Saha if you go through, think of how you can tap the untapped music stars out there in our communities.”
Ewichu, a former teacher, also appealed to the musicians and other related entertainers to use their arts to popularize the government funded Parish Development Model (PDM) Programme.
About PDM
PDM is a multi-ministerial and state–agencies’ approach to development as envisaged under the National Development Plan III.
Implemented by the Parish Chiefs, PDM is a revolving fund where up to sh100m is earmarked for each of the 10,595 parishes in the country.
At most the model will charge an interest of 6 per cent for the money borrowed by members of the Parish SACCOS per annum but members will not pay for membership fee as it is the case with other similar state projects.
For now, sh490b has been set aside for the commencement of the programme.
The model was officially launched by President Yoweri Museveni on February 27, in Kibuku primary school in Kibuku district.
PDM seeks to help the 21% Ugandans living below the poverty line to escape poverty and join the money economy.
