The Chief coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, also known as Salim Saleh, has confirmed a payment of Shs 11,100,000 ($3000) to musician Emmanuel Suuna alias Omulangira Suuna (OS) for producing a song promoting OWC initiatives.
In a letter addressed to the President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) and the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA), Gen. Saleh clarified that the payment was for an advert and not a song.
He urged the public and stakeholders to "compare my song on OWC with that produced by Omulangira Suuna," referencing earlier musical contributions tied to the program.
Gen. Saleh expressed dissatisfaction with claims regarding a script he provided for the project.
“The issue that angered me is that I had given him the script,” he said, suggesting concerns over the execution of the work.
He also referenced music produced for OWC in 2017, drawing comparisons between past and current artistic outputs.
Recently, during a public event in Gulu, Gen. Saleh rejected a song by Omulangira Suuna meant to promote wealth creation initiatives.
He criticised musicians for delays and inefficiencies in delivering meaningful contributions to OWC.
“Musicians, I am tired of you. That one I have to repeat on camera. You have taken a lot of time. I have not even had time to meet the NRM people, can you imagine? Because when it is morning, I am meeting Bucha Man; in the afternoon, I am meeting Ragga Dee; in the evening, I am meeting Odongo,” he lamented
In a handwritten letter dated November 17, Gen. Saleh asked Eddy Kenzo, President of UNMF and Senior Presidential Advisor on Creatives, to address the influx of musicians visiting his residence in Gulu City during the festive season.
Many musicians and comedians are reportedly seeking financial support, a situation that has likely contributed to his frustrations.
UMA President Cinderella Sanyu, popularly known as Cindy, has also weighed in on the matter. She urged artists to regroup under UMA and avoid dependency on external influences, particularly Gen. Saleh.
“Gen. Salim Saleh is not the one who runs the entertainment industry. We, as artists, run the industry,” Sanyu stated. She emphasized that sustainable growth in the music industry requires artists to follow UMA's structures rather than relying on OWC programs.
“There are ministries which are concerned with the music industry, not Gen. Saleh. That is why, as leaders in UMA, we stopped going to Gen. Saleh’s home a long time ago,” Sanyu added.
Gen. Saleh has long worked with artists and other stakeholders in Gulu under OWC programs to address poverty and promote economic transformation.
