By BigEyeUg Team
The Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) has defended its planned distribution of Shs216 million in royalties to musicians and other rights holders following criticism from Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) president Edrisah Musuuza, popularly known as Eddy Kenzo.
Kenzo recently described the payout as “a shame,” arguing that the amount was too small to make a meaningful impact when shared among musicians across the country. He also questioned how the money was collected and how it would be distributed, calling for greater transparency in the management of royalties.
“I saw our brothers from UPRS saying they were going to distribute Shs200 million to all Ugandan musicians. To be honest, that thing is not fair. How did you collect it and how are you going to distribute it?” Kenzo said, insisting that artists deserve clear information on how revenues are generated and allocated.
His remarks came shortly after UPRS announced plans to distribute Shs216 million to eligible rights holders from revenues collected through music licensing and the commercial use of copyrighted works by media houses, entertainment venues, event organizers and businesses.
In response, UPRS Board Chairman Martin Nkoyoyo acknowledged the frustrations expressed by many artists but said the amount available for distribution reflects deeper challenges within Uganda’s copyright ecosystem. He noted that while musicians deserve to earn more from their creative works, the current payout should be viewed as progress rather than a final achievement.
“The fact that we are distributing Shs216 million should not be viewed as the destination, but rather as one step in a much larger journey towards building a stronger and more sustainable copyright economy for Ugandan creators,” Nkoyoyo said.
According to UPRS, weak copyright enforcement, low compliance among music users and widespread unauthorized use of copyrighted works continue to affect royalty collections. The organization explained that many businesses, broadcasters and event organizers use music without obtaining the necessary licenses, limiting the amount of money available for distribution.
Nkoyoyo also clarified that royalties are not shared equally among members. Instead, payments are calculated based on documented usage of musical works and established distribution policies. As a result, some artists may receive only a few thousand shillings while others could earn several million, depending on how frequently their music was used during the review period.
UPRS further revealed that accurately tracking music usage across the country remains one of its biggest challenges. To address this, the society is investing in improved monitoring systems, reporting tools and enforcement mechanisms aimed at increasing collections and ensuring fairer royalty distributions in the future.
Despite concerns raised by artists, Nkoyoyo maintained that the Shs216 million payout is part of broader efforts to strengthen Uganda’s collective management system and build confidence among creators. He assured members that all revenues collected by the society are held in trust and distributed according to established policies and international collective management standards.
“The Board and Management remain committed to ensuring every collection made is distributed fairly and equitably,” he said.