TAKEAWAYS

• UPRS says the Shs285,000 was paid to Weasel personally, not to Goodlyfe Music.
• Yoyo says Radio’s estate, Jeff Kiwa and other rights holders also receive shares from Goodlyfe recordings.
• The payment covered the 2025 royalty period (12 months), not 18 months as claimed.

The President of the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), Martin Nkoyoyo, popularly known as Yoyo, has dismissed claims by Goodlyfe singer Douglas Mayanja, alias Weasel Manizo, regarding the royalties he recently received from the society.

The clarification follows Weasel’s revelation that he received just Shs285,000 in royalties collected by UPRS, a figure that sparked debate on social media about how musicians are compensated.

Speaking on the matter, Yoyo said the money in question was paid to Douglas Mayanja (Weasel) and not to Goodlyfe Music as many people have assumed.

“That amount was not paid to Goodlyfe. It was paid to Douglas Mayanja, who is Weasel,” Yoyo explained.

He added that Goodlyfe Music consists of more than one rights holder, meaning any royalties generated by the group’s music are shared among those entitled to them.

“Radio has his own share, which is handled through the administrator of his estate. They also had an executive producer, Jeff Kiwa, who is entitled to a share, and there are audio producers on those records as well.”

Yoyo therefore said it is misleading to suggest that the entire amount paid represents all the royalties earned by Goodlyfe Music.

He also dismissed reports claiming the payment covered 18 months.

“It is not payment for 18 months. It is payment for 12 months—for the year 2025,” he clarified.

The UPRS president said royalty distribution is based on copyright ownership and contractual agreements, with different contributors receiving their respective shares according to the law.