Award-winning Ugandan artist Edirisa Musuuza famously known as Eddy Kenzo has publicly expressed his disappointment over what he describes as unfair and disrespectful treatment of Ugandan musicians at a Coffee Marathon Concert in Ntungamo.
Speaking out for the first time since the event, Kenzo questioned why he and other celebrated Ugandan artists, including Bebe Cool, were only offered fuel to travel to the venue, while Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz was flown in on a private jet and later transported to Ntungamo by helicopter.
“They gave us fuel cards to drive ourselves there, but for Diamond Platnumz, they sent a private jet to pick him from Entebbe and a helicopter to take him to Ntungamo,” Kenzo said. “How do you explain that kind of treatment? Are we not big artists too?”
Kenzo, who is one of Uganda’s most internationally recognized musicians, said the incident felt like a deliberate effort to belittle Ugandan talent while elevating foreign acts.
“This was all done to put Ugandan artists down and hype Diamond Platnumz,” he added. “But let me say this clearly I don’t believe Diamond is better than me.”
“As if they wanted us to feel bad because the helicopter rotated several times making us feel bad,” he added.
Kenzo went on to suggest that the unequal treatment could be part of a larger pattern of disrespect toward local artists by event organizers.
He referenced veteran musician Dr. Jose Chameleone’s decision to decline an invitation to perform at the Coffee Marathon as possibly influenced by the same dynamics.
“Chameleone turned down the event because he couldn’t accept being paid only shs 50 million to perform for one and a half hours while Diamond was being paid shs750 million to perform for just 30 minutes,” Kenzo said.
Kenzo’s comments have sparked a fresh debate in Uganda’s entertainment industry, with many fans and fellow artists echoing his sentiments about the need to respect and uplift local talent.
Neither the event organizers nor Diamond Platnumz have publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
