Tanzanian gospel musician Rose Muhando has alleged that she has been denied income from her songs distributed on digital platforms for nearly 15 years.
In an Instagram post, Muhando said she had remained silent for years despite the pain she endured.
“Ni muda mrefu sana umepita, takribani miaka 15 nimekuwa nikinyamaza, nikivumilia kwa moyo wote, nikiamini haki yangu nitaipata lakini leo, maumivi yamenilazimu kufungua mdomo na kusema,” she wrote, adding that she had believed justice would eventually prevail.
Muhando claims she has received no financial benefit from her music on digital platforms, attributing the situation to an old deal with Sony Music Africa.
Although the partnership has ended, she claims the company still controls a significant portion of her songs, a claim that could not be immediately verified.
“Kwa muda mrefu sasa, nimekuwa nikidhulumiwa haki yangu ya mapato kutokana na kazi zangu katika majukwaa yote ya kidijitali,” she wrote. “Hadi leo kampuni hiyo bado inashikilia zaidi ya kazi zangu 37, na inakataza kuziachilia.”
She described the situation as deeply distressing.
“Cha kusikitisha zaidi, sipati hata shilingi moja kutokana na kazi hizo ambazo ni jasho langu na jasho la maisha yangu,” Muhando added.
According to Muhando, the Tanzanian government, through the Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA), attempted to intervene but was unsuccessful due to limited cooperation from stakeholders outside the country.
She said the dispute has caused her emotional distress and discouraged other artists who face similar challenges.
“Hali hii imeniumiza sana, imenivunja moyo, na inarudisha nyuma ndoto za wasanii wengi ambao kimyakimya wanaendelea kudhulumiwa haki zao,” she wrote.
Muhando has now appealed directly to the government, calling on Paul Christian Makonda to act urgently.
“Uingilie kati swala hili kwa haraka. Naomba haki itendeke. Naomba jasho la msanii liheshimiwe. Naomba ndoto zetu zisizidi kukandamizwa,” she pleaded.
She concluded by emphasising that she can no longer remain silent. “Nimechoka kuvumilia. Nimechoka kunyamaza. Naomba haki,” she said.
Rose Muhando is widely regarded as one of East Africa’s most influential gospel artists.
She rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits such as Nibebe, Yesu Nakupenda and Mteule Uwe Macho, and her music has been widely distributed across churches, media outlets, and digital services.