Music lovers and patriots in Dei Sub-County, Pakwach District, have gone nearly three months without a live performance by any artist.
Since January of this year, Dei has hosted not more than five stage shows, the most recent being in early June, when Paidha-based artist Vano Vino performed.
Local promoters attribute this decline in events to the significant population decrease in Dei following the rising water levels in 2020/2021, which displaced many residents.
They note that this reduced population has made it difficult to organize profitable shows, as attendance often fails to cover costs incurred.
However, some community members recall that early this year, when Lionman held his launch, nearly a thousand people turned out to support the event.
Ruca, a presenter at Terra FM, attributes the decline in events to the lack of capable local promoters with the resources to host artists for performance.
"We do not have promoters with the necessary potential to bring these artists here. Our people love entertainment, especially when there's a good fish catch," Ruca stated.
Adbayo Big is Big, a well-known local promoter and event organizer, argues that artists are charging promoters expensively, making it difficult to recover their hard-earned cash.
"An artist can charge us close to one million shillings, and with additional expenses, costs can reach two million. Yet our audience here isn't willing to pay ten thousand shillings for entry," he explained.
As a result, karaoke has become more popular in the area, while "Party Animals" have resorted to traveling to Panyimur Town Council for entertainment whenever there are shows.
Bosco Oyer, a resident of Dei, says, "Whenever they are bringing the artists that we love, people always go to shows... Maybe if they don't bring the one we love."
Currently, Dei has two major venues known for hosting events: California and Basima Ogenze.
