NAFEP leaders push for modern entertainment centers in Uganda

By Andrew Cohen Amvesi

ARUA. The leadership of the National Federation of Entertainment Promoters Limited (NAFEP) headed by Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi is pushing for the establishment of modern entertainment centers across the regions in Uganda.

The development was revealed to this website by Stephen Ramathan, the NAFEP representative for the West Nile region during the South Sudanese Cultural Gala in Arua city on Saturday.

According to Ramathan, NAFEP is trying to lobby for funds from the government through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to have the modern entertainment centers built in each region of Uganda.

He said the centers will help in promoting unity and improving the welfare of promoters and artists in the country through income enhancement.

“We are trying to lobby funds from the government through our line Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development for infrastructural establishments such as modern entertainment centers in different regions including one in our region (West Nile),” Ramathan revealed.

He said the development is also aimed at streamlining the events sector and create a smooth relationship among all sector players in the entertainment industry such as artists, disco jokers (DJs), media personalities, venue owners, fans, security and other government agencies

“We are in touch with Uganda Police Force and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and we are into negotiations for a smooth working environment among the event organizers/ promoters and the whole industry at large. We are also dedicated to building unity amongst promoters and artists at large through this development,” Ramathan remarked.

The development came at the time Ramathan promised to offer the artists in West Nile a free venue to showcase their talent every week.

Ramathan offered the venue at his Blue Dove hotel in Arua city, which he says will also act as a unifying center for the artistes.

“I’m of the view that why can’t West Nile artistes come and perform here like maybe every Wednesday, I can give them the venue for free. You know this will bring all the artists together, they come and perform, after performing, they sit down and talk about their weaknesses and how to improve and grow in the industry. That is what is happening in Kampala,” Ramathan said during a press conference at Blue Dove Hotel recently.

Ramathan said he really feels bad to see his promoters and artists not doing well in the region yet their counterparts in other regions are prospering.

Now with the coming of the modern entertainment center, Ramathan is very optimistic that the lives of West Nile artistes and promoters will change given the monies they will make courtesy of the anticipated center being lobbied by NAFEP, a federation uniting all promoters in Uganda

NAFEP was founded by National Promoters’ Association and Uganda Promoters and Venue Owners Network.

It consists of representatives from the 14 regions including West Nile which is represented by Ramathan.