By Nathan Eyagu 

Vin Jaguar, a prominent artist from Nakko Music Empire, has sent a powerful message to fellow musicians from the Teso sub-region to stop performing at government events without formal agreements.

His call comes after a personal experience that left him feeling undervalued and used by event promoters.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Jaguar detailed his recent ordeal during the official opening of the 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) games, held in Bukedea District, Eastern Uganda, where President Museveni was the chief guest. Jaguar revealed that he narrowly avoided being exploited by promoters during the event.

"Teso artists are underrated and often taken advantage of because of their desperation," Jaguar wrote. "We need to have side hustles to keep us financially stable so we can negotiate better terms and protect our worth."

Jaguar shared an instance where he was approached to perform at the Bukedea show. When he quoted his fee of 1 million UGX, the promoter balked, saying, "When did Teso artists reach that price?" Jaguar responded by comparing his fee to those of well-known Ugandan artists like Bebe Cool, Gravity Omutujju, and Eddy Kenzo. The promoter offered only 200,000 UGX, which Jaguar declined, choosing instead to pass the opportunity to someone else. "I realized something was wrong, so I stayed away," he explained.

Jaguar also recounted a similar scenario during the planning of the recent International Youth Day celebration. Initially, he and other artists were promised 300,000 UGX each, but the payment was later reduced to 200,000 UGX. Jaguar refused the reduced offer and instead requested that the organizers cover his fuel costs, which they agreed to. However, they denied him the opportunity to photograph the payment document he was asked to sign, raising further concerns.

"I genuinely asked, if other music promoters pay us more than the government, what’s wrong? The government of Uganda knows better. If they want to use central artists, then they should not come to Teso," Jaguar emphasized. He urged his fellow artists to boycott any stage without proper clearance, stating, "If we see you on stage without being cleared, then you're against the entertainment of Teso."

Jaguar concluded his message by encouraging Teso artists to establish side businesses, ensuring they aren’t desperate and can confidently advocate for their brands. "Say no to government shows without an agreement," he added, calling on his peers to wake up and take a stand for their worth.