President Yoweri Museveni approved the implementation of a copyright management system aimed at protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring musicians earn fair compensation for their creative work.
This new system will allow musicians to receive royalties based on how often their songs are played in public venues such as bars, radio and television stations, and clubs.
Dr. Joel Isabirye, Principal Development Economist at State House, said that the system will provide long-term financial benefits for musicians.
Under this arrangement, artists will continue to earn from their music even after they retire or face circumstances that prevent them from performing.
“Artistes will earn forever because people will continue playing their old songs. This means that even when they can no longer perform due to age or health issues, they can still generate income. Their grandchildren and future generations will benefit from these earnings as long as their music is played,” Dr. Isabirye stated during a meeting with President Museveni at Rwakitura on February 28.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Peace Mutuuzo, and prominent musicians, including Eddy Kenzo, the Senior Presidential Advisor for Creatives and President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF).
How will the copyright management system work?
The copyright management system will function by registering musicians’ works and tracking their usage across different media and entertainment platforms. Businesses that play Ugandan music will be required to install licensed devices that monitor song plays.
How will it be enforced?
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda Revenue Authority, and Uganda Police will work together to enforce compliance and ensure that artists receive fair compensation.
For example, if a bar pays Shs1 million as a license fee to play music, artists will receive a percentage of this fee based on play counts. If a particular song is played 60 times, the musician will earn 60% of the license fee (Shs600,000), while the remaining Shs400,000 will be distributed among other artists based on the number of times their songs are played.
President Museveni said the importance of leveraging technology to ensure fairness in compensation.
“Now technology should be able to tell us who has played my song and where,” he stated during the meeting.
Over the years, musicians have struggled financially due to the lack of a robust copyright law. Many artists have found themselves in financial distress after their careers declined, with some falling ill and relying on fundraisers to cover medical bills.
The new system seeks to address these challenges by providing artists with continuous earnings from their work.
State House scientists, under the leadership of Eng. Sheba Kyobutungi, developed the project, which might mark a new era of professionalism and financial stability for Uganda’s creative industry.
By ensuring that all musicians benefit from their work, regardless of their level of fame, the copyright management system will create a fairer and more sustainable future for the country’s music industry.
With enforcement measures in place, including penalties for non-compliance, businesses will be required to adhere to the new regulations or risk closure.
The initiative promises to transform Uganda’s music industry, ensuring that musicians can sustain themselves and their families even after their peak years.
