Singer Spice Diana has finally opened up about her departure from the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), revealing that the federation's shift away from its original mission that made her join the Eddy Kenzo-led federation with hopes of fighting for stronger copyright laws.
The Source Management singer expressed her disappointment: “I left when I saw that it is not really about focusing on the main issue, which is fighting for the copyright law, or something long-term. Personally, I thought the right thing to do was to fight for something that would last so even when I was not doing music anymore, I would still earn from it, or support my young ones with hope that they would earn something. But we are just divided.”
Spice Diana further lamented that the only way she currently earns money from her music is through constant live performances. “I sing from the first to the last day of the month because I have to get the money from being on stage. We do not earn from the channels through which our music goes because there are other people we do not know and who are more powerful than us who are getting that money. We cannot start questioning them about this, that is why I’m concentrating on my hustle right now,” she added.
The UNMF, launched in May 2023 with Eddy Kenzo as president and Sheebah Karungi as vice president, aimed to unite artists under a single banner, promoting their interests and rights. While several artists have supported the federation, participating in weekly jam sessions at Allure Hotel and Suites in Mutundwe, others have expressed dissatisfaction. Notable artists like Afrigo Band’s Moses Matovu and Daddy Andre have also parted ways with the federation, citing similar concerns about its direction and effectiveness.
