By President Yoweri Museveni has endorsed a Copyright Management System designed to ensure Ugandan musicians receive rightful earnings from their work through digital tracking of music usage.
Developed by a team of State House scientists, the initiative aims to transform the creative industry by tackling music piracy and securing financial stability for artists.
During a meeting at his country home in Rwakitura with government officials and musicians, including Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) president Eddy Kenzo, President Museveni emphasized the role of technology in protecting artists’ rights.
“Technology should now be able to tell us who has played my song and where,” he stated.
The new system will register musicians’ works and monitor their usage across bars, television stations, and radio channels. Establishments playing Ugandan music will be required to install licensed tracking devices that record play counts, ensuring artists are compensated based on actual usage.
For instance, if a bar pays UGX 1 million for a music license, the earnings will be distributed proportionally based on the number of plays each song receives.
To enforce compliance, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) will oversee the system, while the Uganda Police will take action against businesses that fail to adhere. Non-compliant establishments risk closure.
Eddy Kenzo, who has been instrumental in advocating for the initiative, hailed it as a significant milestone in securing artists’ creative rights. He reflected on the journey that began last August when musicians met President Museveni at State House Entebbe to push for stronger copyright protections.
“We took this challenge seriously and worked with the State House Science team to explore digital solutions,” said Kenzo, who also serves as a presidential advisor on creatives.
He further noted that the Copyright Amendment Draft Bill has been sent back to Parliament and expressed optimism about its swift enactment.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, State Minister for Culture Peace Mutuuzo, Eng. Sheba Kyobutungi from the State House Science team, UNCC board member Lilian Mbabazi, and Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) CEO Maureen Nassuuna.
Kenzo extended his gratitude to President Museveni and Deputy Speaker Tayebwa for their unwavering support, vowing to continue pushing for the law’s passage to ensure Ugandan artists benefit from their creations.
This initiative marks a significant step toward professionalism and financial security in Uganda’s creative industry.
