- Pia Pounds left UNMF over delays in passing the copyright law.
- She says copyright works and earns her money through streaming.
- She suggests government funds should support veteran artists and industry-wide projects.
Singer Pia Pounds has revealed why she is no longer an active member of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), led by Eddy Kenzo.
The “Tupate” hitmaker said she attended the federation’s early meetings but later stepped away after realizing that its core promise — pushing for the copyright law — had not been achieved.
According to Pia, passing policies depends largely on government will.
“Anything that involves policy, the government can decide when and whatever it takes to pass. If they woke up and said they don’t want taxi stages in certain areas, it would be enforced immediately,” she said.
RELATED ARTICLES
She believes the delay in fully implementing the copyright law reflects a lack of commitment.
However, Pia clarified that copyright itself works and has personally benefited her. She revealed that despite taking long breaks from stage performances, she continues to earn money from her music online.
“There are artists with rich catalogues and big hits like Eddy Kenzo. Even if they stopped performing and sat at home, they would still be earning from streaming platforms,” she explained.
The singer credited her manager, Hussein, for teaching her about intellectual property. When she released her EP To Party, she avoided distributing physical copies downtown — a move she says has helped her earn steadily.
Pia also noted she has never received any money from the federation despite reports that UNMF received billions in government support. She suggested veteran artists such as Fred Ssebata should be prioritized. Instead of individual payouts, she proposes strategic investments that benefit the entire industry.
The federation has faced scrutiny over how funds have been utilized, though it maintains that efforts to push the copyright law are ongoing.
