Since the first corona virus outbreak in Uganda, which caused the first national lockdown in March 2020, entertainers in Uganda have faced limitations to their income flow given the closure of discotheques, concerts and public gatherings.
Celebrities and entertainers were since then forced to re-strategize, develop and look for alternative ways to profit from their craft.Some of these strategies have fostered the growth of these entertainers, as well as set the pace for what many would refer to as brand positioning.
This however is not the case for so many others that were just budding.
So if bars are closed, concerts are halted, and public performances are prohibited, what are our musicians feeding themselves or their families?
While some have taken up social media to keep afloat with their audiences and fans, others have continued to scoop ambassadorial roles with big corporate companies even during the pandemic.Does this speak into the authenticity of the craft of Ugandan artists?
Several organizations have resorted to communicating to their audiences through interactive and exciting campaigns.
It is from such campaign deals that artists have built their personal brands and managed to endorse products and services that speak to their particular audiences.
Wycliffe Tugume alias Ykee Benda, one of Uganda’s entertainers, said that “Now more than ever, an excellent brand reputation is indeed one of the biggest catalysts if one is to remain relevant in the entertainment industry.”
“I have time and again been cautious to avoid issues that would be detrimental to my brand. Personally, I have sought to build a family friendly brand therefore, my fans will not see me in compromising situations like bar fights, online brawls or political propaganda,” Ykee says.
Ykee Benda has right from 2020 bagged quite a number of ambassadorial deals with the most recent being the Centenary Bank 5 FOR 5 Jackpot campaign. Through this campaign, Ykee Benda drives the agenda on the need for Ugandans to embrace digital banking for an opportunity to win cash prizes.
Ykee Benda through his production studio, Mpaka records (named after his father), through his deal with Centenary Bank sang and produced the catchy campaign jingo. The jingo unlike any other has attracted Ugandans both young and old to sing along, and in the long run listen and learn about Centenary Bank’s digital banking campaign.
Moses Nsubuga, a film producer at Swangz Avenue emphasized the need for celebrities and entertainers to operate as professionals whilst maintaining the highest degree of integrity.
“It is vital for entertainers to appreciate online marketing which in most cases enables them create a heavy online presence. Most Ugandans quickly embrace and take on celebrities that are known online, and it is from such traction, that brands and organizations will look at taking such a celebrity on as an ambassador for a campaign.”
Another is Spice Diana who has for a short period of time seen her self being endorsed as brand ambassador for several brands including Jesa Milk,Jumia and chipper cash among others.
Diana says its these brands that keep her moving and pay her bills,making her forget like nothing happened to the music industry.
Until entertainers fully protect and build brands that other organizations would have no trouble associating with, ambassadorial deals and gigs will favor a few individuals.
President Museveni in his recent address mentioned that the economy shall fully open in January but only when Ugandans embrace vaccination.
Thanks to the companies making it up to the public and have set up different bars,restaurants among other places as vaccination areas and this is seen as a success.
Nile Breweries Limited will as well launch avacination drive which will cover over 26 districts all over Uganda get free vaccination.
Uganda Breweries Limited recently launched a vaccination drive aimed at ensuring Ugandans especially the youth get vaccinated.
