Uganda CMO executives suspended pending investigation

A press statement issued by the URSB on 29 July reveals that UPRS executive officer James Wasula and compliance officer Dickson Matovu were suspended to allow for an inquiry into the collective management organisation (CMO).

“The suspension of the above officials is to allow for an effective ongoing inquiry into the constitution, workings and financial conditions of the society in accordance with the above provisions of the law,” the statement reads.

“There have also been a number of complaints from members of the society with allegations of mismanagement of finances and remittance of royalties collected from rights users, which the URSB would also like to look into critically.”

In 2017, Ugandan artists detached themselves from the UPRS and set up the Uganda Music Association (UMA), which was to help artists monetise their music effectively. In June this year, the musicians elected a new leadership to represent players in the industry. Musicians Sophie Gombya and Ykee Benda are currently the body’s president and vice-president respectively.

Speaking to Music In Africa, UNCF public relations and communications chairperson Emma Mulondo said that the latest development was the first step towards streamlining the country’s creative industry and ensure that creatives were remunerated for their work.

“The UNCF is the umbrella organisation of all federations and associations operating in the creative sector, most of whom own rights directly or indirectly. Our role is to guide the sector in the right direction,” he said.

“Therefore, when many stakeholders had issues with the UPRS, what the UNCF did was mount pressure on the already fragile situation. UMA and the Uganda Music Publishers Association [UMPA] have over the years demanded proper governance and accountability.”

Meanwhile, the URSB and UPRS have appointed Kabiito Karamagi and Rita Baguma Birungi of Ligomarc Advocates to oversee the management of UPRS activities in the next three months.