Uganda: Arts Envoy Programme leaves its mark

Individuals in the music industry, including upcoming artists, arts managers, producers and educators, were mentored by American female rap group Rhyme Like a Girl, which comprises hip hop ambassador Toni Blackman, Trinise L Crowder (Atlas) and Denise Stephanie Garcia (Sincerity).

Participants took part in art business workshops at Bax Bar in Jinja (3 August) and Sharing Youth Centre Nsambya in Kampala (7 and 8 August).

The topics included Building Your Brand and Business, Mental Health and Well-being, Media Promotion, Earning From Creativity, Copyright Issues, Gender and the Entertainment Industry, and Promoting Exchange Between Artists.

“We interacted in Jinja and Kampala and it was cool,” Blackman told Music In Africa. “There is a lot of talent and soul in Uganda and I am really excited about helping these artists become more educated about the business. I hope some of them will be able to break through and make an impact across the continent because there is enough talent here for that to happen.”

Blackman, who first travelled to the continent in 1997 as part of a music exchange programme in South Africa, said she had a wonderful experience recording with top Ugandan female hip hop artists such as MC Yallah and Lady Slyke.

Atlas said: “The talent here in amazing and we have worked with talented individuals who were willing to exchange information. I really hope they get more support because it’s just a matter of time before Uganda makes a name for itself.”

This year's Arts Envoy Programme also included a copyright and neighbouring rights forum at The Square in Kampala on 9 August. The discussion, moderated by investigative journalist Raymond Mujuni Qatahar, centred around the challenges that creatives face when seeking commercial success as well as how to earn from art in the Internet era.

Ugandan singer and copyright activist Richard Kawesa was part of the panel, as were BPU founder Abramz Tekya, copyright lawyer Sylver Kyagulanyi and the Uganda Performing Rights Society's (UPRS's) Dick Matovu.

It was agreed that artists should play their part in combating copyright infringement by seeking information about the legal framework from relevant institutions and by registering their works with the UPRS and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

Ugandan rapper and BPU member Mark Kaweesi said artists needed to unite for copyright law to materialise in Uganda.

“The first move has to be made by artists," he said. “We need to educate ourselves and understand the importance of copyright law, because most of the time you have a group of artists trying to push for implementation from the government but on the other side we have people who have not fallen victim and end up distancing themselves.”

The panellists also emphasised the importance of contracts and brand building to foster leadership and long-lasting artistic legacies.

Kyagulanyi then spoke about how artists could register with the URSB, saying that the collective management organisation accepted lyrics as well as audio and visual works at a cost of 50 000 Ugandan shillings (about $13). He said those who could not afford the fee could email themselves their creative works, which would guarantee them intellectual property rights.

Educator and creative industry operator Maija Rivenburg said a discussion on copyright law and intellectual property was long overdue. 

“I'm glad I attended the event and hope that in the future we will build a stronger and more transparent legal representation for artists,” she said. “It was really useful to hear from Kyagulanyi. A quote that stuck with me is, 'That which is worth copying is worth protecting.' However, it is challenging because many artists don't understand the procedures and it is also expensive to copyright your works.”

A concert was held on Saturday 11 August, with the musicians performing at YMCA in Kampala. Rhyme Like A Girl performed alongside Lady Slyke, DJ Nesta, Abramz, Sylvester, Ruyonga, St Nellysade, Lyrical G, Pryce Teeba, Sandra Nankoma, Tibro, Qrea-us, Jora MC, Spotlite Crew and DJ Issa.

The Arts Envoy Programme ended on Monday 13 August with a visit to Masaka Secondary School where the members of Rhyme Like a Girl held a performance and spoke to the pupils.

“I’m left with a beautiful image of Ugandan artists,” Sincerity said. “There are a lot of gems here – artists who care about their people, the art of hip hop and respect the culture. It's an honour to witness and be a part of this, even if for a short while. But you all will always be in my heart.”