Uganda's Irene Ntale inks deal with Universal Music Group Nigeria

UMGNG announced the partnership on 21 August. Under the agreement, UMGHG will utilise its network and ensure that Ntale's music is available for extensive discovery, marketing, promotion and distribution.

Ntale's deal with the entertainment company goes beyond music. She will also be partnering with U-Live Africa, a division of UMGNG, to produce her annual Ntale Live concert. The event debuted in 2018 with a sold-out show at Kampala Serena Hotel.

As a brand, U-Live Africa was founded in 2016 and is engaged in staging, production, programming and hosting large-scale live concerts and events throughout Africa.

The mark the big occasion, Ntale yesterday released 'Nyamba', her first single with the label.

“Being signed to Universal Music Group Nigeria is the beginning of a new journey as we plan to take over the world,” Ntale said. "I want all my fans to fall in love, dance and be unafraid to express themselves when they listen to this song.”

UMGNG general manager Ezegozie Eze: “We are excited to have Ntale join the family. She is an extremely talented artist and her dedication to her craft has paid off in East Africa. This partnership has been two years in the making, and we are excited to be on this journey with her as she sets her eyes on Africa and then the world”.

The deal makes Ntale the first Ugandan artist to be signed to Universal Music Group. She joins a list of artists signed to the label's various African divisions, such as Nigeria’s Tekno and Mr Eazi, Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee and South Africa’s Nasty C and Sho Madjozi.

Listen to 'Nyamba' below:

Additional reporting by Ano Shumba