Uganda National Cultural Centre cracks down on artists for obscene music

The Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC), in collaboration with key stakeholders, held a meeting on November 9, 2024, to address concerns over obscene content in music.

The meeting focused on reprimanding artists Wabuyu Gereson, known as Gravity Omutujju, and Yasin Mukasa, known as Lil Pazo, for producing songs deemed inappropriate.

During the meeting, it was resolved that the artists’ songs, which have drawn numerous complaints for explicit content, would be blacklisted from all live and stage performances pending further investigation.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) was tasked with instructing broadcasters to halt the airing of specific songs by the artists, including Enkudi, Dooze, Okwepiicha, Enyama, and Omunio, across television, radio, and online platforms.

The resolution also called for investigations by the Uganda Police Force (UPF), Pornography Control Committee (PCC), and UCC to determine if the artists violated laws such as the Penal Code Act, Anti-Pornography Act, Uganda Communications Act, or the Computer Misuse Act. If evidence is found, the musicians and their collaborators could face legal prosecution and penalties.

Additionally, music promoters, producers, and media houses were urged to avoid publicizing content with obscene words or imagery. To ensure cultural relevance and sensitivity, UNCC and stakeholders plan to seek input from cultural institutions and academic departments specializing in languages and cultural studies.

The meeting brought together representatives from several organizations, including UCC, the Interreligious Council of Uganda, the National Cultural Forum (NCF), the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), the Foundation for Human Rights, and the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA).

The decision follows Buganda Kingdom’s earlier move to ban music by the two artists on all its media outlets, further amplifying calls for stricter content regulation in Uganda’s music industry.