Eight members of a Ugandan music band have been arrested for complaining that the president's speech at the weekend was too long, local media report.

The complaint by one of the band members was seen as an insult to President Yoweri Museveni, who was speaking during the 50th wedding anniversary celebrations of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and his wife Jacqueline Mbabazi on Saturday night.

The members of the Crane Performers band were speaking in the local Runyankole language, according to security sources, privately owned Uganda Radio Network news website reported.

The band members are alleged to have said "Rutabandana Waturusya Rugahamuzindaro", which loosely translates to “over speaker, we are tired, leave the microphone”, the report added.

The musicians are reportedly being held at the Kampala Central Police Station.

They have been charged with insulting the president, according to court files seen by the local media.

Neither the band nor the police have commented on the matter.