Singer Bosmic Otim who hails from Northern Uganda has launched an attack on a section of radio presenters in the region whom he branded unprofessional for denying some artistes airplay, deleting songs from station data base among other practices.
He raised the concerns recently and publicly accused Radio Rupiny presenter, Patrick Fabby Olwit alias Mc Fabulous of deleting Acholi artistes’ songs from the radio station computer.
“He lives with us, eats with us, smiles and laughs with us but he is a traitor,” singer Bosmic said during the recently Northern Uganda Music awards gala night held at Da link gardens in Gulu.
Bosmic went ahead to cast blame on musicians, radio presenters and politicians in a move he said was aimed at cleaning up the industry by ensuring professional behavior among the stakeholders.
“These politicians come here tell us a lot of nonsense and we just believe them. Sometimes, we have to keep them in check,” Bosmic said.
The awards ceremony was also attended by Gilbert Olanya who is the Kilak county MP, Lyandro Komakech, the Gulu municipality MP and Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, the district Chairperson for Gulu.
Olanya, in his remarks said he had acknowledged the issues raised by Bosmic and that as leaders, they would take some bold steps to ensure the concerns are addressed.
He cited his songs ‘Mac Onywalo Buru’ and ‘Yer Dong Yer’ which he said were banned on radio by the Gulu RDC and communications regulator, UCC. But the artiste said he will continue to use his music to speak against societal ills and that his music is not about to fade.
Bosmic accused Fabulous of engaging in dubious actions that risk crippling the hard work of the already marginalized artistes from the region.
“He deletes good songs from the radio and instead goes on to receive money from promoters to play dull songs. That is sad,” Bosmic said adding that, he seeks to see all artistes within the region get an opportunity for equal airplay.
“All good works must be credited. But several radio presenters not only Fabulous have been compromised and used just to serve their selfish interests. This leaves the entire industry vulnerable to uncertainties”.
In response to Bosmic’s allegations, Patrick Fabby Olwit rubbished the claims saying he is not involved in the scheduling of songs at Radio Rupiny as there are other staffers who are responsible for doing this.
“We have a policy on songs and getting them into the system. I am not in charge and that is none of my business. If Bosmic has issues with me, then it’s high time we met and sorted it out” Fabbi said.
Efforts to reach David Wodmal, the general manager radio Rupiny to get his take on the issue were futile as SoftPower News could not reach him on two visits to the station as well as on phone.
Komakech Jolly, the Programs Manager at Speak FM, a community radio station based at Tee Gwana noted that the radio has developed a clear policy on how to receive and load songs on top of establishing a music committee. This system therefore makes it difficult for a presenter to be compromised, she said.
“In stations where presenters are underpaid or take long to be paid, such eventualities are likely to sprout up. Musicians will pay their money expecting air play and the presenters become indebted and where the need is not met, there is likely to be war,” Jolly said.
She however urged artistes to find amicable ways to solve such grievances and not resorting to social media and other platforms for their fights.
Obol Nelson, the station manager Choice FM, another private radio station in the area said they have never come across such conflicting theory because strong and clear policies have been drawn that prevent for presenters to do otherwise.
“We have presenters who are musicians as well as promoters here at our station. But we told them not to mix their business with our radio work, It’s clear those who risk to do otherwise risk hitting the exit,” Nelson said.
Nelson advised artistes to be cautious of the kind of songs they release saying that songs like Bosmic’s ‘Mac Onyalo Buru’ and Bobi Wine’s ‘Tuliyambala Engule’ which carry political innuendos cannot pass the regulatory standard. He said that this implies that radio stations will not risk playing them lest they suffer a crackdown by the regulator.