The Senior Manager for Information, Communications and Public Relations at the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Rogers Mulindwa, has welcomed the proposed Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025, describing it as a transformative step toward improving the quality and sustainability of Uganda’s creative sector.
Speaking during NBS Eagle on Sunday, Mulindwa emphasised that the proposed legislation will play a critical role in strengthening the music industry and ensuring artists are fairly compensated for their work.
“The copyright law will help us in terms of quality music,” he said, noting that proper enforcement and compensation structures would motivate artists to invest more in their craft.
Mulindwa cautioned, however, that failure by artists to adhere to structured systems, particularly regarding the free distribution of music to media houses, could undermine the law’s intended impact.
“I want to predict we shall get back to square one if some artists are free with media stations to play their music without being paid,” he said.
Mulindwa reiterated that the proposed law carries wide-ranging benefits across the creative ecosystem.
“This copyright law is going to help everyone in different ways,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing national attention on the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025, recently introduced by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao.
The proposed legislation seeks to modernise Uganda’s copyright framework and align it with international standards, ensuring that creators, including musicians, filmmakers, writers, and other artists, can benefit more equitably from their intellectual property.
Described by stakeholders as a major breakthrough, the bill aims to address long-standing challenges such as piracy and unauthorised distribution of creative works, which have significantly affected artists’ earnings.
Among the notable reforms is the introduction of a new revenue-sharing model for caller ringback tones, a popular telecommunications service that allows callers to hear music instead of the standard ringing sound when making calls.
Under the proposed structure, authors and performers will receive 60 per cent of the revenue generated from caller ringback tones, while telecommunications companies will take 31 per cent and aggregators will receive 8.5 per cent. This arrangement is intended to ensure that artists earn a larger and fairer share of income generated from their content, particularly in the digital age where distribution channels continue to evolve.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), the body responsible for intellectual property rights administration, has endorsed the bill, highlighting its potential to strengthen legal protections for creators and unlock economic opportunities within the sector.
URSB officials believe the amendments will significantly curb piracy while fostering a more structured and transparent system for managing intellectual property rights.
Industry observers also note that the bill reflects the government’s increasing recognition of the creative industry’s economic potential, particularly in terms of job creation, cultural expression, and innovation.
If enacted, the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025 is expected to reshape Uganda’s creative landscape by ensuring fair compensation, encouraging investment, and promoting professionalism across the industry.
Artists and stakeholders have long advocated for stronger protections, especially as digital platforms continue to redefine how content is created, distributed, and consumed.
