Uganda's Music Royalties War Heats Up: B2c Champions Collective Licensing
The B2C Entertainment Group, consisting of Mr Lee (Richard Mugisha), Bobby Lash (Robert Mukasa), and Delivad Julio (Julius Kyazze), has strongly defended the collective licensing model for music royalties in Uganda. The group warns that ongoing misconceptions about this system pose a significant threat to the burgeoning music industry in Uganda, asserting that criticisms leveled against it are "far from the truth." They maintain that collective licensing is the most efficient and equitable system for managing music royalties across the nation.
The artists elucidated that collective licensing simplifies the process for broadcasters, such as radio stations, by enabling them to pay a single fee to a centralized body rather than engaging in individual negotiations with numerous artists. This fee is typically calculated as a percentage of the station's revenue, usually ranging between 2 and 5 percent, ensuring that payments are proportionate to the broadcaster's financial capacity. B2C emphasized that this model inherently scales with capacity, meaning a smaller radio station pays less than a larger one. They further clarified that much of the current controversy stems from a misunderstanding between collective and direct licensing, arguing that while direct licensing might work for an individual artist, it is impractical and inefficient for managing a national music ecosystem involving thousands of rights holders and users.
B2C also highlighted the international obligations and benefits of collective management organizations. These organizations operate within established international frameworks, requiring them to compensate foreign artists whose music is played locally. Concurrently, they are tasked with collecting royalties for Ugandan musicians whose work is used abroad. This dual function, they noted, effectively refutes the misconception that broadcasters can bypass royalty payments by exclusively playing international music, as even international music necessitates royalty payments.
To support their stance, the group cited successful regional examples where collective licensing systems have been operational for over a decade, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya. These systems have proven effective in streamlining royalty collection and ensuring fair compensation for both local and international artists. B2C's intervention comes amidst a significant debate within Uganda's creative sector regarding the optimal structure for royalty payments, with differing views among stakeholders on direct artist engagement versus a unified collective management system. Industry observers acknowledge that the outcome of this debate will profoundly influence the future of Uganda's music business, impacting revenue collection, artist welfare, and regulatory compliance.
Ultimately, the B2C Entertainment Group maintains that a unified collective licensing framework offers the most sustainable and advantageous path forward for Uganda's music industry. They argue that such a system substantially reduces administrative burdens, promotes fairness for all involved parties, and aligns Uganda with established international best practices in music rights management, fostering a healthier and more robust creative economy.
You may also like...
End of an Era: Bob Iger's Emotional Farewell as Disney+ Takes Center Stage with New CEO

Bob Iger has officially concluded his second tenure as Disney CEO, passing the leadership torch to Josh D'Amaro at the 2...
AI Resurrects Val Kilmer! First Look at Star in New Film ‘As Deep as the Grave’

Val Kilmer, who passed away in 2025, will posthumously star in "As Deep as the Grave" as Father Fintan, thanks to genera...
Uganda's Music Royalties War Heats Up: B2c Champions Collective Licensing

The B2C Entertainment Group has rigorously defended the collective licensing model for music royalties in Uganda, stress...
Mavin Records in Turmoil: Crayon Slams Don Jazzy, Tega Eyes Exit Amid Label Crisis

Nigerian singer Crayon publicly criticized Mavin Records, its founder Don Jazzy, COO Tega Oghenejobo, and label mate Rem...
Trader Joe's Shoppers Outcry: Bring Back These 7 Discontinued Fan Favorites!

Trader Joe's has a notorious habit of discontinuing beloved products, leaving loyal shoppers yearning for their return. ...
Gambia Hooks Success: Beach Championship Returns, Boosts Tourism!

The Gambia Beach Championship is set to return from April 14th to 18th, 2026, promising renewed excitement for the natio...
Tanzania's Economy Soars: Tourism Rebound Slashes Deficit!

Tanzania's current account deficit significantly narrowed to 1.93 billion US dollars in the year ending January, support...
Alarming Study Reveals 1 in 10 A&E Bladder Symptom Patients Die Within 3 Months

New research reveals that one in ten A&E patients with visible blood in their urine die within three months, with a quar...


