Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has publicly declared his support for musician King Saha to lead the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA), citing his deep love for the industry and ability to fight for fellow artists.
Speaking during an interview with Sanyuka TV, Lukwago revealed his disappointment with the 2022 UMA elections, which he described as unfair and lacking transparency. According to the Mayor, he had closely followed the election process and was dissatisfied with how it unfolded especially after an online voting format was used, a method he believes excluded many and favored select individuals.
“The next time I heard, Kenzo was their leader. But I was looking forward to King Saha being the artists’ president. I’m not saying others aren’t fit, but why don’t they vote in the elections? They’re the ones who decide who the real president is,” Lukwago said.
Lukwago, who openly admitted to being a big fan of King Saha, insisted that the singer has the right qualities to lead the music industry not just as a performer, but as a voice for the voiceless.
“Saha has a heart that loves the industry. They keep getting on his nerves, and I know he likes chaos too, but he can fight for artists not only from the inside but also as their representative. That is what I love about him.”
At the end of the controversial 2022 elections, Cindy Sanyu was declared the president of UMA, a decision Lukwago criticized. He referred to the online election process as a “sham”, and pushed for a more transparent and inclusive voting process that gives all artists a fair chance to choose their leadership.
“They said the elections were online, and when we went to the computer, we saw something else. But I wish for a free and fair election. At least people will be satisfied. Having different leaders in the industry is wrong,” he stated.
The Lord Mayor expressed readiness to support the industry from a leadership perspective, but emphasized that unity among artists and proper representation are critical to building a stronger creative sector.
His comments come at a time when conversations around leadership and unity in Uganda’s music industry continue to heat up. Whether a new election will be held remains uncertain, but Lukwago’s endorsement adds weight to the growing calls for reform in UMA’s electoral process.
