Veteran Ugandan playwright, actor and producer Kojja Kagato has criticised the growing use of vulgar and inappropriate material in Uganda’s entertainment industry, arguing that some content creators are relying on shock value because they lack creativity and original ideas.
Kagato believes that producing meaningful entertainment requires imagination, knowledge and the ability to develop engaging concepts. However, he argues that some creators struggle to meet these expectations and instead turn to vulgar material to attract viewers.
The veteran entertainer also questioned the general knowledge of some young creators, pointing to what he considers a gap between formal education and the ability to develop intellectually stimulating content.
“The problem they face is that they don’t have content, and they are not naturally brilliant. When you ask them what led to Uganda gaining her independence, they won’t be able to explain, yet they are fresh from school. That implies they are not clever and hence resort to vulgar content because there are many people out there who love inappropriate content,” Kagato said.
His remarks add to an ongoing conversation about content standards and creative direction in Uganda’s entertainment industry, particularly as social media platforms continue providing opportunities for comedians, musicians, actors and independent creators to reach large audiences.
While digital platforms have made it easier for emerging entertainers to build followings without relying entirely on traditional media, concerns have also emerged over the type of material some creators use to attract attention.
Kagato’s argument is that creators should invest more effort in developing original concepts, researching their subjects and producing work that offers audiences something beyond provocative scenes or language.
His comments also raise broader questions about the balance between creative freedom, audience demand and responsibility in entertainment.
However, the debate is not limited to vulgarity alone. It also touches on the challenge of producing content that is entertaining, culturally relevant and intellectually engaging in an increasingly competitive digital environment.
For Uganda’s creative industry, the challenge remains finding ways to encourage originality and quality while allowing new voices to experiment and develop their own styles.
Kagato’s criticism is his assessment of the industry, but it has placed the spotlight once again on the standards and direction of Uganda’s rapidly evolving content creation scene.
Read more entertainment stories at epageone.com — Entertainment Page One.