Renowned Ugandan musician Pius Mayanja, popularly known as Pallaso, has praised collective efforts by the country’s creative community in pushing for stronger copyright protections, describing recent developments as “history in the making.”
Speaking during NBS Frontline on Thursday, Pallaso acknowledged the role of unity among artists in advocating for legislative reforms.
“I salute everyone who has been fighting alongside us. It was the power of unity. It couldn't have been done by an individual,” he said.
Pallason emphasized that while he is a local artist like Jay Z is in the United States, his influence is increasingly international.
Pallaso also underscored the importance of copyright law in protecting the works of creators.
“The copyright law won't make a hit song, but the structure of the law can help someone with a hit song make more money. The copyright law is the only law that protects our musical works. Every other thing is just argument,” he said.
“The direct benefit of the copyright law is that my work is being protected. We've fought for the copyright law for a very long time. This was history in the making.”
Pallaso’s remarks come amid the introduction of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025 a proposed law expected to significantly transform Uganda’s creative sector.
The bill was presented to Parliament by Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, and seeks to modernize the country’s copyright framework, aligning it with international standards to ensure creators benefit more fairly from their intellectual work.
Speaking on the legislation, Mao described the bill as a major breakthrough for Uganda’s creative industry, which includes musicians, filmmakers, writers, and other artists.
“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,” he said.
Officials have indicated that the proposed amendments aim to address long-standing challenges faced by Uganda’s creative community, particularly the widespread unauthorized use and distribution of artistic works.
Among the reforms is a new revenue-sharing model for caller ringback tones, a popular telecom service.
Under the model, authors and performers will receive 60 percent of the revenue, telecom companies 31 percent, and aggregators 8.5 percent, ensuring artists capture a larger share of earnings from their creations.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has welcomed the proposed reforms, stating that the bill could significantly strengthen Uganda’s creative economy by providing stronger legal protection and improved opportunities for monetization.
URSB officials believe the updated framework will also help curb piracy, a persistent issue undermining artists’ earnings across the entertainment sector.
Industry observers say the bill demonstrates government recognition of the economic potential of Uganda’s creative industry, which contributes to employment, cultural expression, and innovation.
If enacted, the law is expected to create a structured and transparent system for managing intellectual property rights while encouraging investment in the country’s cultural and creative sectors.
Artists and stakeholders have long advocated for stronger legal protections to ensure fair compensation, particularly as digital platforms reshape how creative content is produced, distributed, and consumed.
