Most Ugandan artists have seemingly embraced alcohol and drugs. However, it's a different story for Lydia Jazmine.
The singer revealed she doesn't use drugs, has never tried them, and has no intention of doing so.
Jazmine explained that she prefers soft drinks, mostly wine and soda. The only time she has had alcohol was when she mixed whiskey with a soft drink.
"I actually don't use drugs. I don't smoke, not even cigarettes or shisha, as some people claim. I am someone who likes soft drinks because I like sweetness. Even with whiskey, I only have it when it's mixed with a sweet drink," she explained in an interview with a local television station.
The singer, however, acknowledges that drug use is a deadly vice among artists in the industry. She adds that some of her friends are also using drugs, particularly shisha and cigarettes, among others.
The President of the UNMF (Uganda National Musicians Federation), Eddy Kenzo, along with the federation, launched campaigns to tackle the problem of drug use in the music industry. Various individuals, including Fille and Grenade, have been rehabilitated at their offices in Mutundwe.
The Minister of Youth and Children Affairs has also over time called out artists against drug abuse. He recently revealed that the government is developing mechanisms to fight this deadly problem in the industry.
These efforts come at a time when Uganda has already lost artists like Rocky Giant, producer Didi, and Gift of Kaddo, among others, to drugs and addiction.
