By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: James Wasula, the Chief Executive officer (CEO) of Uganda Performing Rights Society, an organisation that regulates musicians in the country is in hot soup.
SpyUganda has learnt that Wasula was Monday afternoon suspended by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) over alleged mismanagement of millions of shillings meant for musicians’ emoluments from copyrights royalties.
Wasula was suspended together with the society’s compliance officer, Dickson Matovu over alleged mismanagement of finances, basing on powers contained in Section 75 of the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, 2006 as Uganda’s National Intellectual Property Office and the National Copyright Information Center. URSB officials stormed UPRS offices in Kamwokya, cordoned them off and asked officials to agree on a handover for audit and caretaking.
“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 provision of the law,” a statement from URSB reads in part.
The statement continues thus; “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 URSB would also like to look into critically.”
Accordingly, Wasula and colleagues have been using over 78 percent of the revenue of running office but only remitting to artistes about 7 percent, which is far and below the acceptable standard.
“We have therefore decided to suspend Wasula and take over to audit the society and also give UPRS a better platform,” an official from URSB said.
URSB claims that their inquiry will ensure UPRS handles its affairs within the strict confines of the law, transparently, with good governance standards as well as achieving the objectives of its establishment in the interests of its members and all other stakeholders.
“Further, in accordance with the section 75 (4) of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2006, independent professional caretakers, Mr.Kabiito Karamagi and Ms. Rita Baguma Birungi of Ligomarc Advocates have been appointed in consultation and with the cooperation of the Board of Directors of the Society to temporarily oversee the management of UPRS.”
“The activities of the Caretakers shall be supervised by URSB and the Members of the Board of UPRS. During this period, URSB is going to be in constant engagement with all stakeholders and urges them to cooperate with the Caretaker. The regular activities of the Society are expected to continue smoothly and URSB calls upon all stakeholders.”
This comes at a time when Wasula has been battling with several musicians who did not subscribe to UPRS. Many of these musicians and performing artistes often accused Wasula of allegedly colluding with other officials in UPRS to pocket millions of shillings they collected from events organisers and media houses for airing or using their music for promotional and or recreational purposes.
