BASATA penalizes musician Dudubaya and festival coordinator

The National Arts Council (BASATA) has issued disciplinary sanctions against musician Godfrey Tumaini, known as Dudubaya, and the chief coordinator of the 30 Years of Bongo Flava festival. The actions follow an incident on September 19, 2026, at the General Tyre grounds in Arusha, where Dudubaya allegedly used defamatory and insulting language during a performance.

According to BASATA, Dudubaya violated Regulation 20(a) of the National Arts Council Regulations. His penalties include a fine of 3,000,000 Tanzanian Shillings, to be paid within 14 days, and a suspension from all artistic activities until the fine is settled. He is also required to adhere to all council laws and guidelines in his future work.

The festival's chief coordinator was also penalized for failing to supervise the event and allowing the ethical violation to occur despite existing management conditions. The coordinator has been ordered to pay a fine of 3,000,000 Tanzanian Shillings and is prohibited from coordinating or engaging in artistic events until the decision is fully implemented. BASATA has urged all artists and stakeholders to respect Tanzanian laws and ethical standards.