Eddy Kenzo Cuts Pallaso’s UNMF Funds Over NUP Support Switch

Eddy Kenzo bars Pallaso from UNMF funds after his NUP pledge, says federation backs NRM, stirring music-politics clash.

Eddy Kenzo, president of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), announced that singer Pallaso can no longer access federation funds.

Pallaso, the former vice president, joined the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) last month, welcomed by NUP leader Bobi Wine. Kenzo said Pallaso’s shift goes against UNMF’s stance. 

Eddy Kenzo & Pallaso

In an interview with Noordeen Ntege, Kenzo explained that Pallaso’s full support for NUP, shown through campaign work, clashes with UNMF’s ties to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). 

“I support Museveni, but my vice president supports NUP and campaigns for them. We’re leaders of the federation. I can’t sing at NUP events because I don’t back them,” Kenzo said. He noted that NRM funds the UNMF, so they can’t support opposition allies like Pallaso.

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Kenzo stressed that the federation’s support for NRM is about gratitude for their funding. “The government that empowers Ugandans now is NRM. We wrote our proposal for them. If another party takes power and supports us, we’ll back them too,” he said. 

He denied segregating artists by politics, saying UNMF works for all musicians but aligns with the ruling party’s support. The federation’s stance is clear, funds go to those who don’t oppose NRM.