The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has called on videographers and photographers working with musicians to remain faithful to the central message of songs when producing music videos, warning against altering or drifting away from the original artistic theme.
Mayiga made the remarks while meeting media professionals under the Uganda Cinematographers Association, who visited the Buganda Kingdom headquarters at Bulange, Mengo, to present proposals for collaboration with the Kingdom.
He emphasized that a well-produced music video should clearly reflect and preserve the meaning of a song so that its message retains its value over time.
“A musician cannot shoot a video in a field and remain unchanged,” he said.
The visit also focused on strengthening cooperation between the association and the Kingdom, particularly in documenting Buganda’s history, cultural sites, and tourism destinations through video production for preservation and future reference.
Mayiga welcomed the initiative and underscored the importance of individuals identifying and developing their talents, especially among young people. He noted that talent is an inborn ability that benefits both the individual and society when properly harnessed.
He further encouraged creatives to use their skills to contribute to the development and upliftment of Buganda, stressing the need for originality, innovation, and improved quality in production rather than imitation of foreign content.
Mayiga also called for fairness and transparency in the creative industry, particularly in ensuring that workers are adequately compensated so they can take pride in their work and remain motivated.
Speaking on behalf of the Uganda Cinematographers Association, Jude Ssempeebwa Nnyanja said the group is committed to improving professional standards in the industry through training and job creation, especially for young people involved in music video production.
“Our association is focused on improving the quality of our work by training new entrants in this field and creating jobs for young people, especially in the production of musicians’ songs,” he said.
Ssempeebwa added that the association seeks closer collaboration with the Kingdom to document Buganda’s cultural heritage, including historical sites, cultural practices, and tourism attractions, while also training young people in professional photography and videography.
He said the initiative aims to promote Buganda internationally while preserving its culture in digital form.
Buganda Kingdom Minister for Youth, Sports and Arts, Robert Sserwanga Ssalongo, praised the professionals for their creativity, noting that such skills are vital for young people seeking to grow Uganda’s creative and cultural industries.
He said the ability to translate ideas into strong visual productions is key to improving standards in the sector and expanding opportunities for youth in Buganda.
