law 30 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Explaining Neighbouring Rights in Uganda's New Copyright Bill
Uganda's Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Bill, passed in March 2026, distinguishes copyright for original creators from neighbouring rights that protect performers, recording producers, and broadcasters. The law aims to ensure fair compensation across the creative value chain through better enforcement and registration requirements. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/what-are-neighbouring-rights-under-the-copyright-and-neighbouring-rights-bill--5407418
In 2023, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) collaborated with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice, Uganda Communications Commission, and artists’ groups, to gather input on updating the 2006 Copyright Act. These efforts led to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Bill, introduced in Parliament by Justice Minister Norbert Mao in May 2025 and approved on March 17, 2026.
Copyright safeguards original works like songs, novels, films, and software created by authors and artists. Neighbouring rights, however, cover those who help deliver these works to audiences, including performers such as singers and actors, producers of sound recordings and films, and broadcasting organizations like radio and TV stations.
For instance, a musician like Sheebah Karungi enjoys copyright as a songwriter and neighbouring rights as a performer. Record labels gain rights over the recordings they fund and produce, while stations hold rights for their broadcasts of events or content.
The amendments empower the Justice Minister to regulate royalty collection and distribution. Crucially, URSB will only act on takedown requests for infringing content if the owner provides a registration certificate, strengthening enforcement.
This legislation seeks to transform the creative industry by linking fame to sustainable income for Ugandan artists and creators.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)