Since the first corona virus outbreak in Uganda, which caused the first national lockdown in March 2020, entertainers in Uganda have faced limitations to their income flow given the closure of discotheques, concerts and public gatherings.
Celebrities and entertainers were forced to re-strategize, develop and look for alternative ways to profit from their craft. Some of these strategies have fostered the growth of these entertainers, as well as set the pace for what many would refer to as brand positioning.
This however is not the case for so many others that were just budding.
So if bars are closed, concerts are halted, and public performances are prohibited, what are our musicians feeding themselves or their families?
While some have taken up to social media to keep afloat with their audiences and fans, others have continued to scoop ambassadorial roles with big corporate companies even during the pandemic.
Does this speak to the authenticity of the craft of Ugandan artists?
Several organisations have resorted to communicating to their audiences through interactive and exciting campaigns. It is from such campaign deals that artists have built their personal brands and managed to endorse products and services that speak to their particular audiences.
Wycliffe Tugume alias Ykee Benda, one of Uganda’s entertainers, said: “Now more than ever, an excellent brand reputation is indeed one of the biggest catalysts if one is to remain relevant in the entertainment industry.”
“I have time and again been cautious to avoid issues that would be detrimental to my brand. Personally, I have sought to build a family friendly brand therefore, my fans will not see me in compromising situations like bar fights, online brawls or political propaganda,” Benda said.
Ykee Benda has right from 2020 bagged quite a number of ambassadorial deals with the most recent being the Centenary Bank 5 FOR 5 Jackpot campaign.
Through this campaign, Ykee Benda drives the agenda on the need for Ugandans to embrace digital banking for an opportunity to win cash prizes.
Ykee Benda through his production studio, Mpaka records (named after his father), through produced the catchy campaign jingo.
The jingo, unlike any others, has attracted Ugandans both young and old to sing along, and in the long run listen and learn about Centenary Bank’s digital banking campaign.
Moses Nsubuga, a film producer at Swangz Avenue emphasized the need for young celebrities and entertainers to operate as professionals whilst maintaining the highest degree of integrity.
“It is vital for entertainers to appreciate online marketing which in most cases enables them create a heavy online presence. Most Ugandans quickly embrace and take on celebrities that are known online, and it is from such traction, that brands and organizations will look at taking on such a celebrity as an ambassador for a campaign,” Nsubuga said.
Until entertainers fully protect and build brands that other organizations would have no trouble associating with, ambassadorial deals and gigs will favor a few individuals.
