Media personality and deejay Zahara Totto, popularly known as DJ Zato, has accused some male deejays in Uganda of being selfish and deliberately blocking newcomers from accessing opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Speaking about her experience as a female deejay, Zahara claimed that some established male deejays form exclusive circles that make it difficult for other deejays to secure opportunities at the venues where they regularly perform.
According to Zahara, the problem becomes particularly noticeable when a new male deejay tries to get a slot at a bar or entertainment venue already dominated by established deejays.
“Even if you come in as another male deejay, they make it hard for you to play in a bar that they play in. They have a bad energy that I don’t like. When I started, they also fought me,” she said.
Zahara further claimed that some of the deejays who allegedly made things difficult for her in the past have since started inviting her to their association meetings and SACCOs.
She believes the change in attitude is partly because of the influence she has gained in the entertainment industry.
Despite the invitations, Zahara said she has no interest in joining the groups, insisting that she is still waiting for an apology over what she says happened when she was starting out.
“I am waiting for them to apologise to me, but I don’t think they have those senses. Nimrod lacks knowledge and I can fight him, by the way,” she added.
Her remarks highlight the tensions that can sometimes emerge within Uganda’s competitive deejay and nightlife industry, particularly over access to venues and professional opportunities.