Eddy Kenzo Calls UPRS Ush216m Royalty Distribution ‘A Shame’
Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) president Eddy Kenzo has criticized the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) over its decision to distribute Shs216 million in royalties to members for 2025.
UPRS Board Chairman Martin Nkoyoyo, popularly known as YoYo, announced the payout on June 10, saying the society generated the money from licensing fees paid by various users of music across the country.
While announcing the distribution, Nkoyoyo acknowledged that many artistes expected higher earnings and assured members that the organization was working to improve royalty collections.
The Uganda Performing Rights Society, UPRS, is pleased to announce a royalty distribution of 216 million to its members, representing income collected from the licensing and use of music by various users across the country.
He added that the board understands concerns from artists whose earnings may not yet reflect the value of their work.
We recognise that many members continue to have high expectations regarding royalty earnings and that the amounts received by some right holders may not yet reflect the true value of their creative works.
However, Kenzo questioned both the amount UPRS collected and the amount it plans to distribute to artists.
In a video posted on social media, the singer argued that the payout was too small to make any meaningful impact when shared among artists across the country.
Today I saw our brothers at UPRS posting that they were going to distribute 200 million. To be honest, that is not fair.
Kenzo also questioned the effectiveness of the current royalty collection system.
How did you collect this? But also, 200 million for the whole country means I will get Shs2,000. The entire country, 200 million? It is a shame.
His remarks have sparked fresh debate about music royalty collection and distribution in Uganda, where artists have long called for stronger enforcement, improved tracking systems, and greater transparency in the management of music rights.
