UgaTunes, MTN Launch Platform to Unlock New Revenue Stream for Ugandan Musicians

What the report says

Nile Post reports that UgaTunes and MTN Uganda have launched a Caller Ring Back Tone platform designed to help Ugandan musicians earn royalties when subscribers use local songs as caller tunes. The service, unveiled on Wednesday at the Next Conference Centre at Next Media Park, is aimed at creating an additional revenue stream for artists, producers and songwriters as the country’s music business shifts further toward digital monetisation.

According to the report, the platform replaces the standard ringing tone heard by callers with a selected Ugandan song, and rights holders receive income whenever the service is activated. Next Media Group chief executive Kin Kariisa said the initiative is part of a wider effort to formalise Uganda’s creative sector and help artists earn from creation, distribution and promotion. The company also said it is pairing the launch with wider media support for local music and a new financing initiative called the Next Creator Member Circle.

UgaTunes team lead Shadrack Kisame said the platform will offer a dashboard so creators can monitor subscriptions and earnings more transparently. The report also notes that the service is intended to recognise producers and songwriters, who often receive less public credit despite contributing to recordings. Government and regulatory officials at the launch backed the idea, describing it as a step toward a stronger creative economy and better copyright management.

More broadly, the launch reflects a wider shift in the music industry toward digital access and paid use of content. Officials cited future copyright tracking systems as a possible complement to services like UgaTunes, with the goal of improving royalty collection and artist income.