The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has in collaboration with Uganda Jubilee Network (UJN) and Platinum Concepts (PC) announced the ‘Penda Uganda Arts Program Song Contest’ with am aim of naturing and promoting emerging talent in Uganda.
The project is also geared towards increasing the patriotism level and love for Uganda.
In a press statement released April 11, iconic Christian music artists Sandra Suubi and songwriter/ lawyer Sylver Kyagulanyi were unveiled as judges for this national competition expected to run annually.
Other judges are musician Geosteady and producer Benon Mugumbya.
“We acknowledge that there is a lot of unemployment and we shall support whatever avenues are put up to find a source of livelihood for our youths” a representative from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development told media at the National Theatre in Kampala.
The project will beginning with a song contest and later tackle other forms of art like poetry and creative writing.
Dr. James Magara from Uganda Jubilee Network said that the project will also promote positive societal values by cultivating national unity and pride through the arts.
Dr Magara stated during the press conference that the patriotism level in Uganda’s citizenry is generally low.
“There is a common belief that things are better in ‘outside countries’, and yet there is much to celebrate about Uganda. It is through the arts that we appreciate and celebrate life and beauty. Music is a powerful vehicle for evoking patriotism and thus for nation building” he said.
How will it work?
The talented emerging musicians will be identified through an audition process, and taken through a training program that will expose them to song writing and the different aspects of audio production, recording, performance, marketing, and the role of music in nation building.
The project that will run from April to October this year will see contestants challenged to write original songs around chosen themes much as the overall theme for 2019 is “Celebrate Uganda”.
The general public will participate in the selection of the best songs and the winner will take with them a recording deal for an album and two (2) videos plus shs 10M for the song of the year not to mention the wide publicity to jumpstart their careers.
Whoever is eligible and wants to contest can apply by filling a registration form which can be obtained from National Theatre, Power FM, NBS and Galaxy FM.
Also, online forms are available Here
