Singer and songwriter Shena Skies has opened up about her frustrations with Uganda's music industry, saying she sometimes feels her creativity has become more of a burden because she has not received the platform she believes her talent deserves.
Speaking in an interview with local media, Shena compared her situation to football icon Lionel Messi playing for a small upcountry club instead of competing on the world's biggest stages.
The singer said one of the most fulfilling aspects of her creativity is being able to come up with songs quickly and watch audiences from different parts of the world connect with them.
However, she believes her talent has not been matched by the opportunities available to her.
“I feel like I'm a Messi being unused in the industry,” she partly said.
‘I Got Angry Until I Couldn’t Anymore’
Asked whether she blames Ugandans for the position she finds herself in, Shena admitted that she was once frustrated by the situation.
However, she said she eventually accepted that there was little she could do to change circumstances beyond her control.
“I got angry until I couldn't anymore because there's nothing I could do about it,” she added.
Shena's remarks highlight the challenges some artistes face in trying to translate their creative ability into wider recognition, particularly in an industry where access to platforms and opportunities can determine how far an artiste's music travels.