UPRS royalty pay-out rises to Shs216 million – Sqoop

The Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) has announced a 2025 royalty distribution of Shs216 million to its members, marking an increase from the Shs127 million distributed last year.

On paper, the figures suggest progress.

The additional Shs89 million represents a notable improvement in collections and signals that efforts to strengthen Uganda’s collective management system may be beginning to yield results. Yet beneath the encouraging headline lies a more complex reality—one that continues to define the conversation around music royalties in Uganda.

While the overall distribution pot has grown, the amounts reaching individual artists remain modest. According to information surrounding the payout, the highest beneficiaries are expected to receive around Shs3 million, while some members will receive as little as Shs2,000 to Shs4,000.

That disparity tells a story not only about popularity and music consumption patterns but also about the challenges that continue to affect royalty collection and distribution in Uganda.

UPRS says the Shs216 million was generated from several sources, including public performance licensing from venues such as bars, salons, casinos, restaurants and entertainment establishments, as well as broadcasting licenses and international collections facilitated through partner organizations such as CAPASSO in South Africa, which manages certain digital and mechanical rights collections.

However, one of the Society’s biggest challenges remains compliance.

For years, broadcasters have been among the most difficult sectors to fully bring into the royalty ecosystem. While compliance levels have reportedly remained below desired levels, UPRS says ongoing engagements with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) are intended to improve licensing adherence and reporting practices.

At the heart of the royalty debate is a problem that extends beyond collections: data.

Collective management organizations around the world rely heavily on accurate information about where, when and how music is played. Without reliable usage data, even substantial collections can become difficult to distribute fairly.

Recognizing this, UPRS says it is investing in stronger monitoring systems and reporting mechanisms to make future distributions increasingly data-driven and representative of actual music usage.

The Society is also encouraging creators to embrace industry practices that simplify royalty administration. Among them is the use of split sheets—formal agreements documenting ownership percentages among songwriters, composers and collaborators. Such documentation helps eliminate disputes and ensures contributors receive their rightful share when royalties are distributed.

In addition, UPRS recently reviewed its licensing tariff structure to capture a broader range of music users and improve collection efficiency. The expectation is that a wider licensing net, combined with stronger enforcement and improved compliance, will gradually increase the pool available for distribution.

Still, the latest payout underscores a reality many artists know all too well: Uganda’s royalty system is still in a rebuilding phase.

A Shs216 million distribution is undoubtedly a step forward. It reflects a collective management organization attempting to modernize its operations, expand collections and restore confidence among rights holders. But it also highlights the distance still to be covered before royalties become a meaningful source of income for most Ugandan creators.

For now, the payout offers both encouragement and perspective. The numbers are moving in the right direction, but the true measure of success will not simply be how much UPRS collects. It will be how effectively the system evolves to ensure that every song played, broadcast, streamed or performed translates into fair value for the people who created it.

That remains the challenge—and the opportunity—for Uganda’s music industry.

UPRS board Chairman Martin Nkoyoyo alias YoYo announces the 2025 royalty distribution of Shs216 million to members, while outlining ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, monitoring systems, and royalty collections across Uganda’s music industry.#SqoopUpdates pic.twitter.com/scinf38rsB

— SQOOP; It’s Deep (@MonitorSqoop) June 10, 2026