Uganda’s newly passed Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is expected to significantly change how artists earn money—once it is signed into law by Yoweri Museveni.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how the new system will work:
Payment for public use of music and content
Under the new law, any business that plays music or uses creative work publicly—such as radio and TV stations, bars, hotels and restaurants—will be required to pay for it.
This means artists will no longer rely only on concerts or endorsements; they will earn whenever their music is played in public spaces.
Royalties collected and distributed through organisations
Licensed bodies known as Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) will collect these payments on behalf of artists.
They will then distribute the money to musicians, producers, writers and other rights holders based on how often their work is used.
Stronger earnings from media houses
Broadcasters will now be legally required to compensate artists when they air their music or content.
This is a major shift, as many artists previously received little or no payment from frequent airplay.
Income from digital platforms
The law also strengthens protection for content shared online.
Artists will be able to earn from digital use of their work, and platforms may be required to remove unauthorised content or compensate rights holders.
Better enforcement against piracy
Authorities will have stronger powers to act against people or businesses that use creative work without permission.
This helps ensure artists are paid for their work instead of losing income to piracy.
A more organised and reliable system
By protecting the role of CMOs, the law aims to create a clearer and more efficient system for tracking usage and paying royalties.
This reduces confusion and increases the chances that artists are paid fairly.
Why this matters
For years, many Ugandan artists have struggled to earn from their own work due to weak enforcement and unclear systems. The new law aims to change that by making payment for creative content mandatory and enforceable.
