TAKEAWAYS

• Daddy Andre supports the Ministry of Health’s suspension of concerts during the Ebola outbreak.
• He says many artists who hold concerts still struggle financially afterward.
• The Nsowera singer believes fans can continue supporting music without live concerts.

Musician and producer Daddy Andre has thrown his support behind the Ministry of Health’s directive suspending concerts and mass entertainment events amid the Ebola outbreak.

Speaking on the matter, Daddy Andre said the ministry is only carrying out its responsibility of protecting Ugandans from contracting the deadly disease and musicians should not be frustrated by the temporary restrictions.

According to the Nsowera hitmaker, concerts have not significantly transformed the financial fortunes of many artists, arguing that several performers who stage major shows still complain about financial struggles afterward.

“I don’t see why musicians should be stressed. The Ministry of Health is simply carrying out its mandate of safeguarding people from Ebola,” Daddy Andre said.

The singer further argued that stopping concerts does not necessarily affect artists as much as many claim. In his view, there is little difference between musicians who frequently organize concerts and those who do not.

“Many artists who hold concerts still cry about being broke. I have never seen anything special come from most of these concerts because they still complain financially,” he added.

Daddy Andre also criticized the music industry for failing to invest heavily in quality productions, especially music videos, saying limited creativity and poor investments are partly why he has never been inspired to organize concerts himself.

The producer noted that instead of demanding performances, fans who appreciate his work can continue listening to his music just as they do for veteran musician Maddox Sematimba.

His remarks come at a time when the government continues enforcing public health measures aimed at containing the Ebola outbreak and preventing large gatherings that could accelerate transmission.