Ugandan music star Eddy Kenzo has challenged the Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) over its recently announced plan to distribute Shs200 million in royalties to musicians, saying artists deserve clear answers on how the money was collected and how it will be shared.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) held at its Mutundwe headquarters, Kenzo said the announcement had sparked concerns among musicians rather than excitement.
According to the singer, UPRS should first explain the source of the funds and the formula that will be used to determine who receives what amount before celebrating the payout.
Kenzo said many artists remain in the dark about the royalty collection process and questioned whether the organisation had provided enough information to justify the figures being publicised.
“I have seen UPRS announcing that they are going to distribute Shs200 million, but there are still many unanswered questions. Musicians need to know where this money came from and how it was collected,” he said.
The award-winning artiste, who has long advocated for stronger copyright protection and better systems for musicians, argued that transparency is essential if artists are to trust the royalty management process.
He further questioned the impact of the payout, noting that when the money is divided among a large number of beneficiaries, individual earnings could end up being too small to make a meaningful difference.
Kenzo warned that without a clear and fair distribution mechanism, many musicians could receive only a tiny fraction of the announced amount.
“Shs200 million for the entire country could mean some artists receive very little. That is why people want clarity,” he said.
UPRS recently announced plans to distribute Shs200 million to rights holders, a development that comes as the music industry continues to push for stronger copyright enforcement and the effective implementation of Uganda’s amended Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act.
