Seasoned media consultant Joel Isabirye has called on creatives to begin documenting their full creative processes as Uganda seeks to advance the implementation of a modernised copyright regime under the proposed Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Speaking to Canary Mugume during Next Big Talk hosted by Next Radio on Saturday, Isabirye emphasised that proper documentation will play a critical role in enforcing copyright protections and ensuring creators fully benefit from their work.
“It’s time for creatives to start documenting their entire creative process, which will be vital in implementing the Copyright framework,” he said.
Isabirye noted that musicians were at the forefront of advocating for copyright reforms, largely due to the visibility and structure of their industry. He explained that while other creatives exist across different disciplines, musicians made the strongest push and naturally attracted more attention because of the nature of their careers.
Isabirye added that the new framework provides a strong foundation for transforming Uganda’s creative sector by addressing gaps across the entire value chain. According to him, it represents a starting point for improving the fortunes of creatives while ensuring that all players within the industry are considered.
A key highlight of the proposed law, he said, is its emphasis on inclusivity. The bill introduces provisions requiring creative works to be made accessible to differently abled audiences, placing new responsibility on producers to package content in formats that can be accessed by all users, a requirement that did not previously exist.
Isabirye also revealed that the government is taking steps to strengthen enforcement through technology. He disclosed that a copyright management system is being developed, which will include monitoring devices installed in
locations that use music for public performance.
These devices have already been imported, and a national mapping exercise of entertainment centres is currently underway.
The proposed legislation was introduced by Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao and is expected to significantly transform Uganda’s creative industry.
The bill seeks to modernise the country’s copyright framework and align it with international standards so that creators, including musicians, filmmakers, writers and other artists, can benefit more fairly from their intellectual property.
Lawmakers have described the bill as a game-changer for Uganda’s creative sector, noting that it will provide stronger protection for creators, streamline industry operations and introduce tougher penalties for piracy and copyright infringement.
Officials say the reforms are intended to address long-standing challenges faced by Uganda’s creative community, particularly the widespread unauthorised use and distribution of artistic works, which has consistently undermined artists’ earnings.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), which oversees intellectual property rights administration in the country, has welcomed the proposed reforms. The agency believes the bill will significantly strengthen Uganda’s creative economy by enhancing legal protections and expanding opportunities for creators to monetise their work.
Among the notable provisions in the bill is a revised revenue-sharing model for caller ringback tones, a popular telecommunications service. Under the proposed arrangement, authors and performers will receive sixty percent of the revenue generated, telecommunications companies will take thirty-one percent, and aggregators will receive eight point five percent.
This new structure is designed to ensure that artists receive a larger and fairer share of the income generated from the use of their content.
Industry observers say the bill reflects growing recognition by the government of the creative sector’s economic potential, particularly in its contribution to employment, cultural expression and innovation.
If enacted into law, the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025 is expected to create a more structured and transparent system for managing intellectual property rights while encouraging investment in Uganda’s cultural and creative industries.
