All is not well for the people who have been living off burning CDs as police has now launched an operation to arrest each one of them. The police operation comes after the musicians’ anger that was directed at URA and the Ugandan government which has done little for the music industry yet wants artistes to pay taxes.
For example Uganda Revenue Authority- URA has really taken it to the wall by issuing an arrest warrant for Jose Chameleone aka Joseph Mayanja. Bobi Wine’s account on the other hand was frozen but this particular account only had one million shillings. Chameleone has been issued a deadline to pay 17million or else face arrest. Bebe Cool and Mesach Ssemakula’s houses have been sealed by URA. Ragga Dee aka Dan Kazibwe’s new car has been confiscated till he clears taxes while the money MTN paid to Eagles production to aid Geoffrey Lutaaya’s launch was also taken by URA.
With all these activities by URA, artistes were so angered that they all decided to go and meet Andrew Kawesi and pour out their anger. This demonstration was led by Geoffrey Lutaaya and was opposed by Bobi Wine. According to Bobi Wine, artistes need to first form and register an organization yet Lutaaya says many of such organizations have been formed and registered. Lutaaya says they have talked for so long, it is now time for action.
At CPS, all artistes agreed in unison that CD burners have to be stopped and arrested. Andrew Kawesi, the police chief could not agree more and thus it is now illegal for anyone to burn music CDS. However the CD burners have also decided to form an association that will bring them to a common table and enable them to pay for copyright and operate freely without restraint. Once a CD burner is registered, he will be issued an operation certificate.
I personally think that URA’s move will finally develop the Ugandan music industry and help rid out the gamblers from the industry. Since national athletes who win medals are also taxed, Musicians may also deserve to be taxed since it is not only singing that is a talent.
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