President Yoweri Museveni has given the green light to a new Copyright Management System designed to help musicians in Uganda earn fair compensation for their work. This digital system, developed by a team of scientists from State House, aims to curb piracy and track music usage more effectively.
During a meeting at his country residence in Rwakitura, Museveni engaged with government officials and key figures from the music industry, including Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) president Eddy Kenzo. He emphasized the role of technology in ensuring artists receive rightful payments for their creations.
“Technology should now help us identify where and how often a song is played,” Museveni remarked, highlighting the importance of digital solutions in protecting intellectual property.
The system will register artists’ works and monitor their use in public spaces such as bars, television stations, and radio stations. Businesses playing Ugandan music will be required to install licensed tracking devices that record play counts. This data will then determine how earnings are distributed, ensuring that musicians receive payment based on actual usage.
For example, if an establishment pays a licensing fee of Shs 1 million, the funds will be shared among artists according to how frequently their songs are played. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) will oversee the implementation, while law enforcement agencies will take action against non-compliant businesses, including possible closure.
Eddy Kenzo, who has been at the forefront of advocating for artists’ rights, praised the initiative as a game-changer for the music industry. He recalled how musicians initially met with the President last August at State House Entebbe to push for stronger copyright protections.
“This has been a long journey, but we worked closely with the State House Science team to develop a digital system that guarantees artists are rewarded for their work,” Kenzo stated.
He also noted that the Copyright Amendment Draft Bill has been returned to Parliament, expressing confidence that it will soon be passed into law.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, State Minister for Culture Peace Mutuuzo, Eng. Sheba Kyobutungi from the State House Science team, Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) board member Lilian Mbabazi, and Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) chief executive Maureen Nassuuna.
As a presidential advisor on creatives, Kenzo extended his gratitude to Museveni and Tayebwa for their support, pledging to continue advocating for policies that empower Ugandan artists.
The initiative signals a new era of professionalism and financial sustainability in Uganda’s creative sector, offering artists a structured way to benefit from their intellectual property.