Artists, musicians and filmmakers in Uganda could soon earn more from their work following the passage of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Once assented to by President Yoweri Museveni, the new law will introduce tougher rules against piracy and establish improved systems for sharing revenue generated from digital platforms.
Parliament on Tuesday passed the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, updating the 2006 law to reflect how content is now created, distributed, and consumed, particularly online.
For years, Ugandan creatives have raised concerns about revenue losses due to piracy, with their songs, films, and books widely shared without permission across digital platforms.
The amended law directly targets this challenge by criminalising unauthorised access to protected content, including individuals who bypass digital protections put in place by creators. It also extends liability to those who manufacture or distribute tools designed to circumvent such protections, broadening enforcement beyond end users.
Authorities will now have powers to compel online platforms to remove infringing content, a move expected to disrupt piracy networks that rely heavily on digital distribution channels.
Penalties for copyright infringement have also been strengthened, with offenders facing higher fines and possible imprisonment.
Beyond enforcement, the law introduces reforms aimed at improving how creatives earn from their work, especially in digital environments where content can generate income long after its initial release.
The new framework promotes fairer revenue-sharing models, moving away from traditional one-time payments that often left artists without control over future earnings.
This is expected to benefit musicians and performers whose work is distributed via streaming services, mobile platforms, and other digital channels.
The amendments further expand access to justice by allowing more courts to handle copyright disputes, making it easier for creatives to seek legal redress.
In addition, new provisions require copyright-related agreements, including licences and transfers, to be formally registered, a measure intended to reduce disputes and bring greater transparency to the industry.
Overall, the law marks a significant step toward strengthening protections for Uganda’s creative sector and ensuring artists can fully benefit from their work in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
