Kampala, Uganda: Ugandan creatives have unveiled a new locally developed device designed to track music played in public and commercial spaces, as the newly enacted copyright law begins to take effect.
The device, dubbed Nyange, is part of a broader copyright management system aimed at improving the collection and distribution of royalties to artists.
According to Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) President Eddy Kenzo, installation of the devices is already underway in key commercial venues. “These devices will support music royalties collection and distribution. Installation is now underway. The device name is Nyange,” Kenzo said.
How the Nyange Device Works
The system is expected to be deployed in hotels, bars, media houses, and other public venues where music is played for commercial purposes.
By tracking usage of copyrighted music in these spaces, the device will help identify how often songs are played, enabling more accurate royalty payments to musicians and rights holders.
“This device will listen to music and communicate with our system, which will in turn [show] who played whose music and where and how many times,” Kenzo revealed on Wednesday.
The innovation comes at a critical time, following President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s assent to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, which strengthens enforcement mechanisms and introduces tougher penalties for infringement.
Under the new law, rights holders can compel platforms and users to comply with copyright regulations, while systems like Nyange are expected to provide the technological backbone for enforcement.
A Boost for Uganda’s Creative Industry
For years, Ugandan artists have raised concerns about lost revenue due to unregulated public use of their music, particularly in entertainment venues.
The introduction of tracking technology is seen as a major step toward formalising the music economy, ensuring that artists are compensated whenever their work is commercially exploited.
Industry stakeholders say the system could significantly increase earnings for musicians, producers, and other creatives, while also improving transparency in royalty distribution.
Despite its promise, the Nyange system is already raising practical and legal questions about its scope and implementation.
One major concern is the limitation of the device to formal commercial spaces. Music played in private settings such as weddings, home parties, and informal gatherings may fall outside the system’s reach, potentially leaving a significant portion of music usage untracked.
There are also concerns about: Enforcement gaps, particularly in informal or unregulated venues, Compliance costs for small businesses required to install or subscribe to the system, Data accuracy and transparency, including how usage is measured and verified and Privacy concerns, especially if monitoring extends beyond strictly commercial contexts.
Critics argue that without clear guidelines, the system risks creating confusion about what constitutes commercial use versus private enjoyment.
The rollout of Nyange highlights a broader shift in Uganda’s copyright regime, from passive protection to active enforcement backed by technology. However, experts say its success will depend on clear regulations, public sensitisation, and fairness in implementation.
Striking the right balance between protecting artists’ rights and avoiding overreach into private spaces will be key to ensuring the system is accepted and effective.
What Next
As installation continues, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the system performs in real-world settings and whether it delivers on its promise of fair compensation for creatives. The success, or failure, of Nyange could define the future of Uganda’s music industry under the new copyright regime.
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