Veteran Ugandan singer and songwriter Maurice Hasa has opened up about his prolonged break from the music scene, citing deep-rooted issues within the industry as the main reason for his retreat.
In a candid interview with Sanyuka TV, Hasa revealed that many veteran artists, including himself have distanced themselves from the local music industry due to its lack of structure and the growing presence of violence.
Widely recognized for his socially impactful song “Kaleke Kasome” , Hasa pointed out that a number of musicians have chosen to relocate abroad in pursuit of a more stable and rewarding life.
According to Maurice Hasa, the local music industry no longer makes financial or professional sense.
“Creating music is expensive, yet the returns are minimal because the market is not lucrative.Many artists are now venturing into other fields to survive.”,Maurice Hasa explained.
While music remains a passion for him, Hasa emphasized that passion alone is not enough to sustain a career in music. He said he still writes songs during his spare time and occasionally records in studios when invited by producers, but lacks the motivation to promote new projects.
“Even though I’m involved in other things, I still find myself writing songs. Some producers have called me to the studio and I’ve left a few songs there, but without the proper support system, it’s hard to push them.When you invest in music, you expect to earn something back. Unfortunately, there’s no viable market to sell the music.”,he shared.
Hasa also highlighted the importance of the ongoing push for copyright law reforms, which he believes could help revive the industry by protecting artists’ rights and income.
Additionally, he disclosed that he often turns down performance invitations, particularly those in small venues or bars, as he doesn’t want to compromise his reputation.
He also expressed concern about the increasing levels of hostility in the music scene, which further dissuades him from returning fully.
“The industry has become too violent, and that’s not something I want to be associated with,” Hasa concluded.
