TAKEAWAYS

• Kalifah AgaNaga has set UGX 800 million as the starting price for his music catalogue.
• He may include image rights in the deal, raising the value to UGX 1.5 billion.
• He says Uganda’s copyright law helps, but artists must stop undervaluing their work.

Dancehall musician Kalifah AgaNaga has revealed plans to auction off his entire music catalogue, setting the starting price at UGX 800 million as he looks to cash in on years of work in the industry.

Speaking during an appearance on Galaxy FM, the Oyitangayo hitmaker said he is already engaging wealthy businessmen in and around Kampala who could be interested in acquiring the rights to his music. The move, he explained, is part of a broader strategy to transition from relying on hit releases to monetising his catalogue.

“UGX 800 million is just the starting point. My catalogue has value, and serious investors understand that,” Kalifah said.

He clarified that the deal would initially cover rights to his recorded music, while he retains control over his image and performance rights. However, he did not rule out expanding the agreement if the price is right.

“If someone comes with a better offer, even my image rights can be negotiated. That’s when the value goes to around UGX 1.5 billion,” he added.

Kalifah also weighed in on Uganda’s recently enacted copyright law, saying it is a step in the right direction but not a complete solution to the financial struggles musicians face. According to him, many artists still undermine their own worth by focusing solely on chasing viral hits instead of building long-term value.

He argued that established musicians with extensive catalogues should not be compared to newer acts still building their discographies. For him, the focus now is shifting toward touring and leveraging his brand beyond studio releases.