The Rural Broadcasters Association has held a consultative meeting with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), and Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) to work out mechanisms through which Uganda’s performing artists will be paid royalties for their work when reproduced on radio stations .
Mr. Julius Tumusiime, the Chairman RUBA said that the association is willing and committed to engage with all key stakeholders to have a win-win solution and pledged readiness to cooperate and work with artists to preserve and promote their work.
Tumusiime, urged members to manage the process appropriately and give all the stakeholders an opportunity to present their proposals on how the royalties will be paid . He requested that the implementation of royalties payments by Uganda Communication Commission and Uganda Performing Rights Society should be stayed until their an agreed position by all the parties .
“ UCC as a regulator should be mindful of how far the radio broadcast sector has come and how it operates without running the risk of curtailing its growth. Radio serves the growing music and arts industry and the two parties should be helped to work together without hurting each other’s business . We urge all stakeholders to avoid imposing first world solutions to our local realities on ground, “ he stated .
