Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) founded by Musician Eddie Kenzo has bagged sh 5billion seed capital from government to boost music industry.
Edrisa Musuuza told the members of the federation that during the recent annual general meeting in Mutundwe akampala Suburb. That his money will channelled through registered saccos.
The general meeting, a gathering that went beyond routine procedure to become a moment of reflection, expectation, and renewed hope for the music industry was attended by multitude of musicians in the industry.
Presiding over the meeting, UNMF president Eddy Kenzo called on artists to take an active role in shaping the future of Ugandan music, stressing that progress can only be achieved through collective engagement.
“This federation belongs to all of us. The future of our industry depends on how involved we are,” Kenzo told the gathering.
Kenzo asssured artists tangible progress copyright Law before Parliament to better the industry.
The meeting offered members an opportunity to review achievements registered over the past year, while also setting priorities for the road ahead. Central to the discussions was the long standing issue of copyright, a subject that continues to spark concern among creatives.
Mr Joel from State House confirmed that monitoring machines have already arrived in the country.
He explained that the devices will be used to track how often artists’ songs are played and where they are played, a development expected to improve transparency, accountability, and fair compensation within the industry.
The announcement was met with optimism, with many artists viewing it as a crucial step toward protecting their work and securing rightful earnings.
Kenzo further revealed that UNMF will soon constitute a team of experts tasked with educating musicians about their rights and the true value of their craft, an initiative aimed at empowering artists to better navigate the business side of music
President Yoweri Museveni approved the operationalization of a new copyright management system in Uganda on
February 28, 2025 with the system aimed to strengthen intellectual property rights, reduce music piracy, and ensure artists earn royalties based on airplay tracking
The digital system tracks music usage on radio, television, and in public venues, allowing artists to receive, for example, 20% of revenue generated from licensing
The government further allocated Shs 28 billion in the 2025-26 budget for the creative sector, with Shs 5 billion aimed at strengthening copyright management.
Uganda’s creative industry is a fast-growing economic sector, employing over 400,000 people—67% of whom are youth—and contributing significantly to GDP through music, film, fashion, and crafts. Supported by a 28-billion-shilling government revolving fund (as of January 2026), it blends tradition with digital technology to foster innovation and employmen
