UPRS rallies artistes during annual meeting

What the report says

The Observer reports that members of the Uganda Performing Right Society used the organisation’s 2026 Annual General Meeting to press for unity, stronger accountability and wider use of technology in copyright administration. The meeting was held last Friday at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau offices, at a time when the recently passed Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act has increased attention on how performers’ rights are managed.

Former UPRS chairperson James Wasula told artistes that the society is not controlled by a small group, but is a company limited by guarantee with no shareholders or share capital. He urged members to take ownership of the institution, avoid internal divisions and support continuity between older and younger artistes. Wasula also said improved monitoring tools can help replace older sampling methods in tracking music use and distributing royalties more accurately.

Veteran musician Dan Kazibwe, known as Ragga Dee, encouraged artistes to focus on strengthening UPRS rather than personal disagreements. He said members should use the society’s structures to raise concerns and help build public confidence by sharing experiences from those who have received royalties.

Robert Mugabe, the URSB Commissioner for Intellectual Property, commended UPRS and said the new copyright law gives the society a chance to improve governance, procedures and compliance. UPRS chairperson Martin Nkoyoyo, also known as Yoyo, said the leadership would work collaboratively with members. The issue matters because UPRS is the main collective body through which many Ugandan performing artistes seek payment when their work is used.