Martin Nkoyoyo
Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) is a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) in Uganda tasked with collecting and distributing royalties, both mechanical and performance based, to artistes. When Martin Nkoyoyo stepped in as UPRS board chairperson in September, he inherited an institution weighed down by years of dysfunction – unresolved royalty disputes, governance flaws, and shaken member confidence. But fast forward to the 2025 Annual General Meeting, and a new narrative is unfolding. Royalty distributions have resumed, transparency is improving, and technology is being embraced to reconnect members to their rights and earnings. In this exclusive sit-down with Sqoop Magazine’s Patrick Ssentongo, Nkoyoyo reflects on the progress so far, the challenges still ahead, and the bold vision of shaping UPRS into a modern, member-driven CMO.
What was the state of UPRS when the new Board took over in September, and what immediate actions did you prioritise?
When we assumed office in mid-September, the organisation was struggling with weak governance, loss of member trust, lack of financial transparency, and poor systems for royalty collection and distribution. The Board immediately focused on restoring order by strengthening governance, rebuilding trust through member engagement and financial discipline, and encouraging music users to comply voluntarily instead of relying on enforcement. A key achievement was reviving the dormant royalties account, which had not been active for two years. Shs60m was deposited in just two months, signaling progress and a renewed commitment to accountability.
What does it mean for UPRS to be a company limited by guarantee? How does that structure benefit its members?
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