Engagements 2025

The Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) held a strategic engagement with hotel owners to review and negotiate fair copyright tariffs for the commercial use of music in hotels.

Since music plays a central role in entertaining guests—whether through background play, live shows, or events—this initiative ensures hotels contribute to sustaining the creative industry.

UPRS emphasized the importance of fairness and compliance, highlighting that songwriters, composers, performers, and producers deserve proper compensation for their work.

The dialogue marks a significant step in building stronger partnerships between the hospitality sector and music creators, reinforcing respect for intellectual property while supporting the growth of Uganda’s creative and tourism industries.

The Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) engaged radio and television broadcasters in an initiative aimed at reviewing and negotiating fair copyright tariffs.

This engagement forms part of UPRS’s ongoing efforts to enhance compliance with music copyright licensing across Uganda.

The negotiations were guided by a commitment to ensure that music creators—including songwriters, composers, performers, and producers—receive fair compensation for their work and investment.

Broadcasters were actively consulted throughout the process, promoting transparency, fairness, and collaborative decision-making.

This milestone represents a crucial step forward for the sustainable growth of Uganda’s music industry, reinforcing the value of intellectual property and strengthening partnerships between creators and music users.

UPRS joined the rest of the continent in celebrating Africa Copyright & Collective Management Day, an annual event founded by ARIPO in 2017 to highlight the value of copyright and the vital role of Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) in supporting Africa’s creative economy.

Marked under the theme “Empowering Creative Industries Stakeholders – Building a Sustainable Future for Copyright and Related Rights”, the day emphasized fair compensation for creators, strong copyright policies, and stakeholder collaboration.

UPRS reaffirmed its commitment to protecting creators’ rights, ensuring fair rewards, combating piracy, and fostering a sustainable future for Uganda’s creative industry.

UPRS conducted a comprehensive Customer Care & Management training session aimed at enhancing service delivery.

The initiative underscores the organization’s commitment to service excellence, recognizing that empowered teams are key to ensuring member satisfaction.

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), the regulator of Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) in Uganda, visited the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) as part of efforts to enhance supervision and improve service delivery.

The visit focused on assessing UPRS’s operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and strengthening systems for royalty collection, membership management, and rights administration.

URSB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting UPRS in aligning with global best practices to better serve music creators and stakeholders.

UPRS convened a mediation meeting with key music stakeholders, including UMPA, Omziki, OPUS Music Africa, and representatives of legendary artists’ estates.

The session focused on improving dialogue between music rights holders, publishers, and digital distributors to resolve ongoing disputes in Uganda’s music industry.

UPRS reaffirmed its commitment to protecting creators’ rights, streamlining membership and documentation, and ensuring equitable royalty distribution.

All parties pledged to prioritize transparency, integrity, and collaboration, paving the way for a more accountable and professional Ugandan music industry.

UPRS hosted URSB officials, who oversee Collective Management Organizations, at its offices to ensure compliance with the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2006.

Together, the institutions advanced the shared vision of a Uganda where creators are empowered and musical works are valued, protected, and fairly rewarded.

UPRS reaffirmed its mission of protecting, promoting, and monetizing its members’ economic rights.

Key stakeholders from Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS), URSB, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) gathered to enhance industry collaboration and compliance.

Broadcasters, including TV and radio stations, were reminded to obtain music licenses from UPRS, as outlined in Section 46 of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006, to ensure fair compensation for music creators.

The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration and ensure fair royalty distribution for all publishers.

A key focus was on improving the accuracy of work registrations and addressing gaps that are currently costing publishers their rightful earnings.

Publishers were reminded to register all works with the correct ownership percentages.

To avoid disputes and ensure transparency, rights holders were encouraged to sign clear agreements with artists and submit all rights contracts to UPRS for documentation and verification.

The session emphasized updated catalogues, active memberships, and stronger royalty protection as essential steps for a fairer and more efficient music industry.

A productive session was held between songwriters and the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) at the UPRS office to discuss good governance and rebuild trust in the organization.

Songwriters were encouraged to declare all their works, ensuring that rights owners and percentage shares are clearly outlined for each registered song title.

This transparency allows UPRS to accurately calculate and distribute royalties to members whose works are used by licensed commercial music users.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of joining UPRS for creators who want to benefit from the public and commercial use of their music.

Record labels and music producers in Uganda were encouraged to join UPRS and declare their works to secure rightful royalties.

By presenting agreements with artists, performers, composers, and other creators that clearly indicate percentage shares, UPRS can accurately calculate and allocate earnings when music is played in licensed businesses.

During the sensitization meeting, music creators were urged to declare their works to avoid missing out on royalties.

UPRS hosted a stakeholder engagement session at its Kansanga offices, bringing together representatives from various cover bands, including Vipi Band, Abeeka Band, and others.

The session provided a platform to discuss industry best practices, copyright compliance, and the role of cover bands in Uganda’s music ecosystem.

The engagement reinforced the shared goal of shaping a fair and sustainable music industry.