The air in Mutundwe was heavy with purpose yesterday as artists from across the country converged for the annual Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) general meeting, a gathering that went beyond routine procedure to become a moment of reflection, expectation, and renewed hope for the music 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.
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.
Although the Copyright Law remains before Parliament, attention shifted to more immediate and practical gains, particularly the rollout of a copyright management system. Artists were reassured that tangible progress is already underway.
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.
As the meeting concluded, the mood in Mutundwe reflected cautious optimism, with many hopeful that the conversations and commitments made will translate into lasting change for Uganda’s creative sector.
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