Uganda's music industry marked a significant milestone on Wednesday, 30 July 2026, as UgaTunes, our music distribution platform, officially launched UgaTunes CRBT, "My Song, Your Caller Tune," powered by MTN Uganda, giving artists, producers, and songwriters a new way to earn from their music.
Launched at the Next Conference Centre, Next Media Park, the platform enables MTN subscribers to replace the traditional ringing tone with their favourite Ugandan songs while ensuring that creators receive income every time their music is selected as a Caller Ring Back Tone (CRBT).
The launch brought together leaders from government, telecommunications, the creative industry and regulators, all united by one vision: building a more sustainable music industry where creativity is recognised, protected and fairly rewarded.
Speaking at the launch, our Group CEO Kin Kariisa said UgaTunes is part of a much bigger vision to organise Uganda's creative industry and create sustainable income for artists.
"We've developed the capacity to distribute Ugandan music across global platforms. Today, together with MTN, we are opening another revenue stream through caller ringback tones. We want artists to create music, market it, distribute it and earn from it."
Kariisa explained that UgaTunes offers much more than digital distribution. Through our ecosystem - television, radio, and digital platforms- artists can also access marketing support that helps build audiences and grow their careers.
He added that the company has also established the Next Creator Member Circle, a financing initiative that will support musicians with projects such as concerts and album production while allowing them to repay through future music earnings.
Leading the product rollout, Shadrack Kisame, Team Lead at UgaTunes, described the launch as another important step in Uganda's digital music journey.
"UgaTunes is Uganda's premier platform for digital music monetisation. Through CRBT, artists can now monitor subscriptions, track earnings through a dashboard and receive income transparently. This is another opportunity for Ugandan music to work for its creators."
Kisame explained that the platform also recognises the often overlooked contribution of producers and songwriters.
"Behind every successful song are producers and songwriters. They own the music too, and they deserve to earn from it."
The initiative received strong endorsement from government.
Representing the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Mary Grace Mugasa Balikowa Kuteesa, Minister of State for Gender and Culture, praised Next Media for taking practical steps to strengthen Uganda's creative economy.
"Out of the private sector, Next Media is running ahead of many in looking after this baby. They have brought us together to ask how every artist can begin to earn from their music."
She described Uganda's music industry as a young sector with enormous potential that requires collaboration between government, the private sector and telecommunications companies to grow into a major economic contributor.
The Minister also welcomed Next Media's investment in content creation hubs across Uganda, saying they will give artists greater access to production facilities, technical support and opportunities to produce high-quality content.
The Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Nyombi Thembo, encouraged creatives to embrace digital transformation rather than fear technological change.
"Music has moved from physical ownership to instant access. That is where audiences are today, and that is where the opportunities now exist."
He applauded UgaTunes for creating a platform that reflects the realities of today's digital music economy.
Government also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen copyright protection.
Professor Joel Isabirye, Principal Development Economist at State House, said the recently developed Copyright Management System will complement initiatives such as UgaTunes by helping artists earn royalties whenever their music is played in commercial spaces.
"The system will monitor where music is played and ensure artists earn from the use of their work. Together with platforms like UgaTunes, this has the potential to transform the industry's revenue model."
The Chairman of the National Culture Forum, Ragga Dee, described the platform as a turning point for Ugandan musicians.
"For many years, other people uploaded our music and became the owners of our value. Today, with UgaTunes, it is like artists have finally opened their own shop."
He encouraged creators across the country to embrace the platform as an opportunity to take greater ownership of their music and their careers.
By combining digital technology, strategic partnerships and media reach, UgaTunes is helping transform music from a passion into a sustainable business. For Ugandan creators, every caller tune selected is not just a personalised ringtone. It is another opportunity to earn, grow and build lasting value from their talent.