Uganda installs Music Tracking Devices “Nyange” In All Public Places
For decades, Ugandan artists have voiced a common frustration: their music fills the airwaves and dance floors of bars, hotels, and radio stations, yet very little of that airtime translates into financial stability. That narrative is now changing. With the introduction of the “Nyange” music tracking device, Uganda is moving from a manual, often speculative royalty system to a data-driven digital era.
The Device: How “Nyange” Works
Unveiled the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) and supported government scientists, the Nyange device—named after the elegant cattle egret—is a locally developed piece of hardware designed to listen.
Once installed in a commercial space, such as a nightclub or restaurant, the device automatically identifies the tracks being played. It then relays this data to a central system managed the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). This creates an indisputable digital log of:
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Who played the music.
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Whose song was played.
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Where and how many times it was aired.
Strengthening the Legal Backbone
The rollout of the Nyange system is not just a technological experiment; it is the enforcement arm of the newly enacted Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This landmark legislation modernizes Uganda’s intellectual property framework by:
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Mandating Installation: Commercial entities are now required to have these licensed devices to operate.
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Stricter Penalties: Unauthorized use of creative works can now result in fines of up to UGX 50 million or jail terms of up to 10 years.
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Equitable Distribution: The law ensures that royalty payments are proportional to play counts. For example, if a bar pays a flat licensing fee, that money is split among artists based on the exact percentage of time their music was played.
Impact on the Creative Economy
The Nyange system addresses the “transparency gap” that has long plagued Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) like the Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS). By providing real-time data, the system removes the guesswork from royalty distribution.
A New Era for Ugandan Music
This initiative marks a significant shift toward professionalizing the creative sector. By integrating technology with the law, Uganda is ensuring that “every beat, lyric, and performance” is properly valued. For the artist in a local studio, this means their breakthrough hit in a regional town is no longer just a “vibe”—it is a verifiable asset that contributes to their livelihood.
As the installation of Nyange devices continues across the country, the message to commercial users is clear: the music is playing, and now, the system is finally listening.