What was intended to be a major youth empowerment forum took a negative turn on Friday after a large number of artists from the Karamoja Artists Umbrella boycotted the much-anticipated Karamoja Youth Wake-Up Rally. The artists accused the event’s organizers of exploitation, marginalization, and lack of respect.
The rally, held on May 16, 2025, at Moroto Boma Grounds, was spearheaded by Minister Esther Anyakun and presidential advisor Balaam Barugahara. It was designed to promote government initiatives like the Emyooga Fund, Youth Livelihood Program, and the Parish Development Model (PDM). However, before the event officially began, protest chants—this time not from political opposition, but from Karamoja’s own creative community—filled the air.
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Artists staged a peaceful demonstration at the venue’s entrance, holding signs reading “Balaam, We Are Tired” and “We Are Not Performing for 200K!” They accused Balaam and his team of consistently underpaying performers and excluding local talent from meaningful participation.
“We were exploited the last time Balaam hosted a show here,” said Gwills, a local musician. “He brought in over 200 artists and gave us mere handouts. What’s Shs 10 million when divided among all of us?”
Another artist, Enzhed, emphasized that the boycott had widespread support. “From dancers and DJs to MCs and promoters—we’re all united in this. Karamoja deserves better.”
The dissatisfaction wasn’t limited to performers. Shongs, a singer who initially supported the event, noted that the venue had emptied by 6 PM, despite being promoted as an all-day affair.
“That speaks volumes. People feel overlooked,” he said.
Popular local promoter Jemo criticized the organizers for importing sound and stage equipment instead of using what’s available within Karamoja. “How can you say you’re empowering youth when you don’t support local businesses?”
MC Boniface Angura echoed these frustrations, saying Karamoja continues to be left out of Uganda’s broader entertainment industry.
“Where is Eddy Kenzo, the UNMF president? He should be involved. We want real representation, not token gestures.”
Protest leader Raphael Nyanga accused Balaam of creating a large event budget but allocating very little to local performers.
In response, Hon. Balaam Barugahara dismissed the criticism and maintained that the rally was a success. When asked about the artists’ complaints, he reiterated his goal: “To turn Karamoja yellow and weed out pockets of NUP (National Unity Platform) support.”
This event marked the second major gathering at Moroto Boma Grounds in less than a month, following MP Francis Lorika Adome’s well-received Easter Thanksgiving Festival, which was praised for prominently featuring local talent.
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