By Joan Vumilia
The Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) Board Chairperson has called on artists to engage more actively with the organisation’s leadership by attending Annual General Meetings (AGMs) instead of relying on social media to air their grievances.
The chairperson said while online platforms allow artists to express their views, the AGM remains the official forum where members can demand accountability, seek explanations and participate in decisions affecting their rights.
The remarks come amid ongoing conversations within Uganda’s entertainment industry about copyright administration, royalty distribution and the need for stronger systems to protect creators.
The UPRS leadership said artists must take advantage of available structures to influence change, arguing that meaningful reforms require members’ involvement beyond public criticism.
According to the chairperson, attending AGMs enables artists to receive reports on the organisation’s activities, understand challenges in royalty collection and make recommendations on how services can be improved.
UPRS, which represents the interests of copyright holders by managing the use of creative works and facilitating royalty collection, has been at the centre of efforts to strengthen Uganda’s intellectual property protection framework.
The chairperson urged musicians and other creatives to become more involved in copyright matters, register their works and participate in discussions that shape the future of the industry.
The call adds to broader efforts within Uganda’s creative sector to improve transparency, accountability and the financial benefits received by artists from their works.
