As Uganda’s music industry continues to debate copyright ownership and royalty distribution, songwriter and composer John Kay The Writer has offered a strong reminder about who legally owns many of the country’s biggest songs.
Speaking on the issue, John Kay argued that the majority of successful songs in Uganda remain the intellectual property of the songwriters and producers who created them. According to him, artists are typically granted licenses to perform and commercially exploit those works rather than owning the underlying copyright outright.
His comments add another voice to the growing conversation around copyright, licensing, and fair compensation for creatives in Uganda’s entertainment industry.
According to John Kay, approximately 90% of successful songs in Uganda are still legally owned by the songwriters behind them.
“In Uganda, for 90% of successful songs, the songwriters still own the copyright; they only license their work. We are not selfish as writers, and we don’t mind being silent millionaires.”
The songwriter stressed that licensing does not transfer ownership of the intellectual property itself. Instead, it gives artists permission to use the work under agreed terms while the copyright remains with its creator.
To illustrate his point, John Kay compared music copyrights to land ownership.
“The way to transfer copyright is through licensing. A song is like land—it’s intellectual property and should be treated with the same respect as land.”
His analogy highlights what he believes is a widespread misunderstanding of copyright law within parts of the music industry.
Beyond ownership, John Kay also addressed what he considers one of the industry’s biggest shortcomings—the lack of meaningful recognition for songwriters.
While many musicians publicly acknowledge the writers behind their songs, he argued that recognition should go beyond simply mentioning names in interviews, album credits, or social media posts.
Instead, he believes compensation should reflect the true value of a songwriter’s creative contribution.
“The challenge we’ve got in our nation is that we major in the minors and minor in the majors. As a songwriter, when you write a song for a musician, it’s the musician’s responsibility to recognize your contribution—not just by mentioning your name, but in a way that makes economic sense.”
According to John Kay, ensuring writers receive fair financial rewards would strengthen Uganda’s creative economy and encourage more investment in songwriting.
Copyright ownership has become an increasingly prominent topic in Uganda’s music industry as artists, producers, composers, and songwriters continue discussing royalties, licensing agreements, and intellectual property rights.
At the center of many of these discussions is the distinction between copyright ownership and licensing. While creators may license their work for recording, performance, or commercial use, that arrangement does not necessarily transfer ownership unless specifically agreed to.
John Kay’s comments reinforce the importance of understanding those legal distinctions, particularly as Uganda’s entertainment industry continues to evolve.
Why It Matters
Songwriters often play a critical role in creating commercially successful music, yet their work can receive less public attention than the artists who perform it.
John Kay argues that stronger recognition—both legally and financially—could help create a more sustainable music industry by ensuring creators are fairly rewarded for their contributions.
His remarks also contribute to the broader conversation about protecting intellectual property and promoting professional standards within Uganda’s entertainment sector.
Behind every hit song is a team of creatives whose contributions shape the final product. For John Kay, recognizing that effort means more than public acknowledgment—it means ensuring songwriters receive compensation that reflects the value of their work.
As conversations around copyright continue, his message is a reminder that the success of Uganda’s music industry depends not only on the performers audiences see on stage, but also on the writers and producers working behind the scenes.
The debate over copyright ownership is unlikely to end anytime soon, but John Kay’s comments have added fresh perspective to an issue that continues to shape the future of Uganda’s music industry.