TAKEAWAYS

• Eddy Kenzo says the Shs200 million royalty payout is too little and will leave many musicians with negligible earnings.
• Pallaso argues UPRS has weaknesses in its royalty collection and distribution systems.
• Kenzo defended the UNMF podcast, saying it aims to celebrate legends such as Chameleone rather than compete with journalists.

Musicians under the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) have expressed dissatisfaction with the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) following its announcement that it will distribute Shs200 million in royalties to local artists.

Speaking about the development, UNMF president Eddy Kenzo said the amount is far from sufficient considering the effort musicians invest in creating and promoting their music. According to Kenzo, many artists are likely to receive very small payouts that will have little impact on their livelihoods.

“We know this money is not enough at all. Some musicians will end up receiving Shs5,000 or Shs10,000, which cannot adequately compensate them for the work they have put into their music,” said Eddy Kenzo.

Kenzo further argued that UPRS has struggled to establish an effective system for collecting and distributing royalties. He noted that while the organization was mandated to manage musicians’ royalties, there remain significant gaps in transparency and efficiency regarding how the money is collected, tracked, and shared among artists.

UNMF vice president Pallaso echoed Kenzo’s concerns, saying the royalty body has not lived up to expectations. He argued that the amount being distributed reflects deeper structural weaknesses within the organization.

“There is a serious weakness in the way UPRS has been operating. The money being distributed is too little to make any meaningful difference in the lives of musicians,” Pallaso stated.

Meanwhile, Kenzo also addressed concerns surrounding the recently launched UNMF podcast. Some media practitioners have questioned whether the federation is venturing into journalism.

The singer dismissed such claims, emphasizing that the podcast is not intended to compete with journalists but rather to celebrate and document Uganda’s music legends. He explained that the platform’s debut episode featured music icon Chameleone as part of efforts to preserve the stories and achievements of influential artists.

Kenzo maintained that the initiative seeks to educate younger generations while honoring individuals who have shaped Uganda’s music industry over the years.