Veteran Ugandan artist Buchaman, born Mark Bugembe, has revealed that he does not own the copyright to the songs he recorded under Firebase Crew while signed to Dream Studios.
In a recent interview with ME Media, Buchaman highlighted how exploitation in the music industry has affected many older artists, leaving them without financial benefits despite having rich and influential music catalogs.
“I don’t own any copyright over all the songs I did under Firebase Crew. Firebase and Dream Studios own all the rights to all the music we did under the record label. We always released them as albums, and the labels always took the rights. I can only perform but can’t own them. Even if I upload them online, they will be taken down,” he explained.
The Struggle of Older Generation Artists
Buchaman believes that ignorance and industry practices in the past led many artists to surrender their music rights to record labels, making it difficult to benefit from their own work today.
He noted that this issue extends beyond Firebase Crew, affecting musicians from labels such as Gagamel, Leone Island, and others.
“Most of them are even struggling with life, yet they did good songs; they would be benefiting from them today,” Buchaman said.
Call for Stricter Copyright Laws
The veteran artist emphasized that a revised and strictly enforced copyright law could help artists reclaim their rights and secure their earnings from past work.
“I know the copyright law, if well worked on, will help many artists from the past. But with copyright, we can be able to claim the rights of these songs because we should be able to own those rights under a revised copyright law,” he added.
His comments shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by veteran artists in Uganda and across Africa, highlighting the urgent need for industry reforms to protect creative intellectual property.
The Bigger Picture
Buchaman’s revelation has sparked discussion on how music labels and copyright laws interact with artists’ rights. Experts suggest that stronger legislation and awareness could allow older artists to monetize their catalogues and gain the recognition they deserve.
Fans and industry insiders are now calling for measures that empower creators, ensuring they retain control and benefits from their own music.
💬 Do you think Ugandan artists should be able to reclaim rights to their old music?
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