Veteran Ugandan actor and director John Segawa has voiced strong criticism of the current state of musical concerts in the country, describing many of them as “half-baked.”
He singled out singer and philanthropist Halima Namakula, questioning her credibility as a musician and the legitimacy of her recently celebrated 50-year milestone.
Segawa expressed frustration over what he sees as a trend of substandard performances by artists, arguing that fans are being shortchanged by shows that fail to meet professional standards.
“We want music. Where do we go to report shoddy work done on stage? Because we need that,there have been so many shows where fans walk away feeling scammed by half-cooked performances.”,Segawa said
His comments were especially pointed regarding Namakula’s concert at Serena Hotel on July 26, where she celebrated 50 years in the creative arts and 25 years as a philanthropist. Segawa questioned the nature of the celebration, arguing that her contributions to music do not warrant such recognition.
“What was Mama Halima celebrating in those 50 years? She isn’t a musician. She started as an actress in Black Pearls before going abroad. She should be celebrating her journey in acting not music.”,he remarked.
Segawa also took issue with the quality and depth of Namakula’s music, describing it as more appropriate for children. He labeled her a “studio artist,” implying that she lacks the essential skills and presence required for compelling live performances.
