The family of popular Ugandan events promoter Miriam Mutakubwa, better known in entertainment circles as Biggie Events, has made an emotional appeal to fellow promoter and businessman Hon. Balaam Barugahara Atenyi to step in and help secure her release from Luzira Prison.
Speaking with visible emotion, Biggie’s sister voiced the family’s distress over the promoter’s incarceration, insisting that Biggie never intended to defraud anyone. Instead, she explained, her sister poured her resources into organizing entertainment events that were meant to uplift and bring joy to the public.
“She Didn’t Misuse Any Money — She Just Wanted to Make People Happy”
In a tearful statement, Biggie’s sister defended her sibling’s integrity, stressing that her intentions were pure — even if the results didn’t turn out as planned.
“My sister Biggie didn’t misuse that money; she used it to organize events that make people happy,” she said. “Unfortunately, the shows didn’t yield the results she anticipated.”
She went on to plead directly to Hon. Balaam Barugahara, one of Uganda’s most influential figures in the events industry, to extend a helping hand and use his influence to secure Biggie’s freedom.
“I appeal to Mr. Balaam Barugahara to help us free Biggie from Luzira Prison, where she is currently jailed. As a family, we would be elated to have her back home.”
Family Calls on Uganda’s Entertainment Industry to Rally Behind Biggie
According to the family, Biggie’s situation has left them heartbroken and desperate for solidarity from the entertainment fraternity, especially those who understand the risks and unpredictability of event promotion in Uganda.
“Her only hope is dependent on fellow promoters who understand how the events business works,” the sister said. “I request that if there’s any money you demand from her, please let it be settled while she’s out of prison.”
The family’s appeal echoes a growing sentiment within Uganda’s events community — that Biggie’s work has long benefited the industry and that compassion should guide how her current challenges are handled.
A Key Player in Uganda’s Events Industry
Before her imprisonment, Biggie Events had become a familiar name in Uganda’s bustling entertainment scene, credited for organizing major concerts, festivals, and social events that drew massive crowds and featured top music stars.
From Kampala to regional towns, Biggie’s events became synonymous with high energy, crowd-pulling performances, and top-tier production — making her one of the few female promoters to break through a male-dominated industry.
Her brand, Biggie Events, often collaborated with major artists and corporate sponsors to deliver unforgettable nights of entertainment.
Industry Voices: A Call for Compassion
Following news of her imprisonment, several industry figures and fans have taken to social media to express sympathy and call for her release. On X (formerly Twitter), Spark TV Uganda shared a video showing supporters — including fellow promoter Abitex — being denied entry to Luzira Prison as they attempted to visit Biggie.
“Tutuuse obudde buyise – Abitex n’ab’eng’anda za Biggie bagaaniddwa okuyingira e Luzira,” Spark TV captioned in Luganda, loosely translated as “We arrived late – Abitex and Biggie’s relatives were denied access to Luzira.”
The video has since gone viral, sparking debate about how promoters are treated when business ventures fail and raising questions about the financial pressures many face when organizing large-scale events.
The Harsh Realities of Event Promotion
Event promotion in Uganda, insiders say, is a high-risk business — one that requires significant investment upfront with no guarantee of profit.
Promoters often depend on ticket sales, sponsorships, and artist agreements, which can quickly fall through if attendance is low or unforeseen challenges arise. For many, one failed event can lead to crippling financial loss and legal consequences.
In Biggie’s case, supporters argue that her current predicament reflects the need for more protection and cooperation among industry stakeholders to ensure fair resolutions when financial disputes occur.
Fans and Family Hope for Balaam’s Intervention
Hon. Balaam Barugahara, known for his generosity and leadership within Uganda’s entertainment industry, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the plea. However, many are hopeful that his influence — both as a businessman and as a humanitarian — could help facilitate Biggie’s release or support negotiations between her and her creditors.
Fans have flooded social media with messages urging him to get involved, with hashtags like #FreeBiggieEvents and #SupportOurPromoters trending on Ugandan TikTok and Facebook.
One fan posted:
“Biggie brought joy to thousands through her shows. She doesn’t deserve to rot in jail. Balaam, please help!”
“We Just Want Her Home”
The Mutakubwa family says their primary wish is simple — to see Biggie home again.
“We just want her back,” her sister said softly. “She’s a good person who loves her work and her people. Everyone makes mistakes, but she doesn’t belong in prison.”
As the entertainment industry rallies around one of its own, this emotional family plea serves as a reminder that behind every major event and glamorous concert is a promoter who risks it all to keep Uganda entertained.
Stay tuned for more updates on Biggie Events’ case and the entertainment community’s response. What are your thoughts — should promoters like her be given a second chance? Drop a comment below!
