Musician Edirisa Musuuza, professionally known as Eddy Kenzo, has welcomed the Presidential assent to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, describing it as a significant milestone for the country’s creative sector.
In a message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Kenzo said the new law reflects years of advocacy and collective effort by artists and industry stakeholders seeking stronger protection and fairer earnings.
“We warmly welcome the Presidential assent to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, a milestone that strengthens the protection, value, and future of our music and the entire creative sector,” he wrote.
Kenzo expressed gratitude to President Museveni for signing the law, but stressed that the real test lies in its enforcement.
“This is progress but the mission continues. The struggle for full implementation, enforcement, and real economic transformation of our creatives is still on. Step by step, we move forward,” he added.
The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, assented to on Wednesday, marks a major overhaul of Uganda’s intellectual property framework, with government officials saying it is designed to curb piracy, strengthen enforcement, and align the country’s copyright system with international standards.
The bill was tabled by Norbert Mao, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, who described the reforms as a turning point for the creative economy.
“This bill is a game-changer for our creative industry. It will provide stronger protection for creators, streamline the sector, and introduce tougher penalties for piracy and copyright infringement,” Mao said.
A key feature of the law is a revised revenue-sharing model for caller ringback tones, a major source of music income in Uganda. Under the new framework, authors and performers will receive 60% of revenue, telecommunications companies 31%, and aggregators 8.5%, a structure aimed at boosting earnings for artists.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), which oversees intellectual property administration, has welcomed the reforms, saying they will enhance enforcement, expand monetisation opportunities, and reduce losses caused by piracy.
Industry stakeholders have similarly described the amendment as a turning point for Uganda’s growing creative economy, which continues to provide employment and drive cultural expression.
Despite the optimism, Kenzo reiterated that without proper implementation, the law risks falling short of its promise to transform the sector.
The Copyright amendment is part of a broader package of legislation recently assented to by President Museveni, including laws targeting health regulation, energy efficiency, employment, and public sector reforms.
