By Nakiwala Barbra
The Ugandan Cabinet has approved the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2024, marking a significant step toward improved legal protection for creatives in the country.
The news was confirmed by Eddy Kenzo, President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) and Senior Presidential Advisor on Creatives.
Kenzo, who has been at the forefront of pushing for reforms to protect musicians, artists, and other creatives, expressed his excitement about the Cabinet’s decision, describing it as a major victory for the industry.
In a statement shared on Monday, Kenzo revealed that the Bill had successfully been returned from the Parliamentary Counsel and gained overwhelming Cabinet support. He further confirmed that the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is set to publish the Bill in the Uganda Gazette and table it before Parliament for debate and eventual enactment.
Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has issued a Certificate of Financial Implication, clearing the Bill for further progress in the legislative process.
Kenzo emphasized that the approval is a long-awaited milestone for Uganda’s creative sector, which has been advocating for stronger copyright laws to protect intellectual property and ensure fair compensation for artists and other content creators.
“This is something we hoped to achieve as a Christmas gift, and I believe it has been fulfilled,” Kenzo stated. “We are grateful to His Excellency the President for listening to our concerns and offering guidance.”
Kenzo urged creatives to remain patient and united as the Bill moves to the next stages.
With Cabinet approval secured, the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2024 will now be introduced in Parliament. If passed, the Bill is expected to modernize copyright laws, ensuring fairer treatment and economic benefits for artists, musicians, and other content creators.
The Bill’s progress has been widely celebrated by stakeholders in Uganda’s creative industry, who believe it will help address longstanding issues such as piracy, exploitation, and inadequate compensation.
Kenzo concluded by thanking the creative community for its support, prayers, and unwavering efforts in advocating for this reform.
As the Bill awaits Parliamentary debate and enactment, industry players remain optimistic that this new legal framework will empower Uganda’s creatives and elevate the country’s creative economy.
