Kasuku Still Awaits Museveni’s Shs 5 Billion Pledge Two Months Later
UGANDA — Ugandan media personality Isaac Katende, popularly known as Kasuku, says he is still waiting to receive the Shs 5 billion that President Yoweri Museveni pledged to him and his group of content creators two months ago.
Speaking on the matter, Kasuku revealed that there has been no communication from State House regarding when the promise will be fulfilled, despite mounting pressure from fellow content creators demanding the money.
“The 5 billion is coming. We were promised it, but they never told us when it’d arrive. The pledger said he gave us the money. Now we wait for him to invite us to pick it,” Kasuku said.
He addressed concerns that he may have received and misappropriated the funds, stating: “There are people who are demanding that money from me. But I wish to clarify that the President cannot hand me that money and the world fails to know about it. The way it works is that you will see photographs being taken; he will post the messages on his social media accounts. I am therefore tired of people ambushing me and asking if I received the money and ate it.”
The Pledge
President Museveni made the commitment on March 1 during the second edition of the “Jazz with Jajja” conversation at his ranch in Kisozi. Kasuku and scores of content creators had paid him a visit.
After Kasuku assured the president that his group was well organised, with a SACCO and an association in place, Museveni announced: “I will inject Shs 5 billion in the association.”
An elated Kasuku thanked the president and requested a follow-up meeting to formally present their memorandum. Museveni responded that they could meet the following week.
Confusion Over Beneficiaries
Kasuku noted that since the meeting, antagonistic voices have emerged questioning which group of creatives should benefit from the pledge.
“When we came from the president’s meeting, there was a bit of noise; some people thought they were more deserving of the pledge than us, and it got us thinking that we need to start defining who is a social media influencer, who is a digital content creator,” he said.
“The lines can get blurred. We said once we meet the president again, there needs to be guidance on who is who and who should get the money. What they decide is what we shall go with.”
Stakeholders remain hopeful that the president’s pledge will strengthen Uganda’s creative industry by supporting artists, media personalities and other creatives through their SACCO and organised association.
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