Renowned dancer-turned-singer Ritah Dancehall has shared her honest perspective on how dancers are perceived and treated within Uganda’s entertainment industry.
Speaking candidly, Ritah noted that because the dance industry is still developing and has yet to establish a strong foundation in Uganda, many people continue to view dancers as hustlers or individuals who have failed in life.
The dance industry has yet to establish a solid base in Uganda’s entertainment industry. A dancer in Uganda is considered and seen as someone who is a failure and a hustler in life.
Ritah further explained that despite the negative perceptions surrounding dancers, the profession remains a difficult hustle, with many dancers struggling to earn meaningful income from their talent.
She revealed that she has personally performed on various artists’ stages only to receive little or no payment, highlighting the financial struggles dancers face compared to musicians.
Despite being judged the way people want to, our end point is hunting for money. Sometimes I take to artists’ stages and end up not getting paid. Like at Dexta Daps’ stage, I got a little pay, but getting a payment like how an artist gets paid—let’s say Shs3 million as the least—is something a dancer doesn’t get.
According to Ritah, the entertainment industry still has a long way to go in recognizing dancers as professionals and ensuring they are fairly compensated for their contribution to performances.
She believes that dancers deserve greater respect, better pay and more opportunities as the Ugandan entertainment industry continues to grow.
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