Speaking during NBS Frontline on Thursday, Ragga Dee explained that while Ugandans enjoy music created by local artists, the creators themselves often earn very little.
“People say that when they are listening to our music they are helping us. But they are enjoying our music. You sing your music and people are enjoying your music but you have nothing. Every time a big musician is sick, we resort to fundraising,” he said.
Ragga Dee noted the challenges brought about by digital distribution, where physical sales have largely disappeared.
“Today, the digital world gives a space to everyone. It’s difficult to control because it’s too big. In the past years, we were selling digital CDs. Right now we are selling air, not physical things,” he said.
Ragga Dee stressed the need to educate the public about intellectual property rights, explaining that copyright laws are not only for music or films but for all creators.
“Copyright is based on intellectual property. We need to have clinics to teach people that intellectual property doesn’t stand for music or films only. Anyone who creates work should be paid,” he said.
Ragga Dee also highlighted the distinction between personal and commercial use of music.
“A person using my song at home is using it for personal use. A person using it in a hotel is using it for commercial use. That person using it should pay a blanket fee for royalties. There are over 300 radio stations in Uganda. Only about 20 pay royalties,” he said.
Ragga Dee’s remarks come shortly after the government introduced the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025, a proposed law expected to significantly transform Uganda’s creative sector. The bill was introduced by Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, and is designed to modernize Uganda’s copyright framework while aligning it with international standards.
Speaking about the proposed legislation, the Laroo-Pece MP-elect 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 say the proposed amendments are aimed at addressing long-standing challenges faced by Uganda’s creative community, particularly the widespread unauthorized use and distribution of artistic works.
The reforms are also designed to improve how artists earn from their content, especially in the digital era, where music and creative works are increasingly distributed through telecommunications platforms.
One key provision of the bill is the introduction of a new revenue-sharing model for caller ringback tones, a popular service offered by telecom operators that allows callers to hear music instead of the standard ringing tone.
Under the proposed structure, authors and performers will receive 60% of the revenue, telecommunications companies will take 31%, and aggregators will receive 8.5%. The arrangement is intended to ensure that artists receive a larger share of earnings from the use of their music.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), which oversees intellectual property rights in the country, has welcomed the proposed reforms. URSB officials say the bill could significantly strengthen Uganda’s creative economy by providing creators with stronger legal protection and improved opportunities to monetize their work. They also note that the updated framework will help curb piracy, a challenge that has long undermined artists’ earnings.
Industry observers have praised the bill as a reflection of the government’s growing recognition of the economic potential of Uganda’s creative sector, which contributes 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 the cultural and creative sectors.
“This law doesn’t help the musicians alone. The mindset is set of music but there are many sectors that will benefit from the copyright law,” Ragga Dee said.