Politics 19 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Parliament Passes Long-Awaited Copyright Amendment Bill
Ugandan Parliament has approved the Copyright Amendment Bill after years of delays, introducing stronger penalties, royalty systems, and protections for artists against unpaid use of their work. Musicians like King Saha and Kenzo highlighted the struggles, sparking national debate over fair compensation. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/entertainment/-parliament-passes-copyright-bill-5395938
Uganda’s creative industry, especially musicians, has long battled inadequate protection for their work. Artists often receive exposure instead of payment, with hits playing everywhere from Kampala traffic to bars and boda bodas, yet creators struggle financially.
Frustration boiled over recently when singer King Saha vented on X, questioning delays in copyright reforms. Eddy Kenzo added fuel, suggesting some MPs might be compromised, turning artist woes into a national conversation.
Debate centered on Clause 9, challenging the notion that airplay equals payment and labeling pirates as unintended benefactors. In a surprise move, Parliament passed the Copyright Amendment Bill after prolonged discussions.
The legislation mandates proper royalties and imposes tough penalties on broadcasters, bars, telecoms, and others using creative content without compensation. It ends the era where ‘vibes’ sufficed as payment.
While artists celebrate, skepticism lingers over implementation in Uganda, where enforcement demands significant effort. Experts note that legal safeguards must pair with quality content to sustain success.
Source: Daily Monitor