Chance Nalubega accuses anonymous Orchard Music of stealing her songs, says she’s frustrated

• Nalubega accuses Orchard Music of repeatedly claiming her songs on YouTube
• She insists she is the sole creator and has legally registered all her music
• Calls on government to enforce copyright laws protecting Ugandan artists

Veteran Ugandan singer Chance Nalubega has voiced frustration over an ongoing copyright dispute with digital distribution platform The Orchard, accusing the company of repeatedly claiming ownership of her songs on YouTube.

Nalubega says the dispute has turned into a cycle of claims and counterclaims, where her music is flagged, restored after disputes, and then claimed again. The situation, she notes, has denied her consistent access to revenue generated from her own work.

“It is confusing and frustrating how someone can claim songs they never contributed to, yet earn from them while I struggle,” she said.

The singer maintains that she is the sole composer of her music and has never relied on external writers or producers who could lay claim to her catalog. She also revealed that she previously worked with the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), which returned her music without dispute when she chose to withdraw it.

“All my songs are legally registered and gazetted. I am no longer ignorant about digital rights, and I will take legal action if this does not stop,” Nalubega warned.

She has issued a two-week ultimatum to The Orchard to relinquish all claims on her content.

Nalubega further highlighted that she is not alone, noting that several veteran musicians are facing similar challenges, often finding themselves locked out of earnings from their own music online.

She has called on the government to ensure the enforcement of Uganda’s newly approved copyright law, stressing that legislation must translate into tangible protection for artists.