Uganda’s creative industry is on the brink of a significant transformation following the introduction of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025. At the center of the debate is the concept of “neighbouring rights,” a legal provision that could reshape how musicians, actors, producers, and broadcasters earn from their work.
Neighbouring rights, also known as related rights, are distinct from traditional copyright. While copyright protects the original creator of a work such as a songwriter, author, or filmmaker, neighbouring rights extend protection to those who bring that work to life. These include performers like singers and actors, producers who invest in recordings, and broadcasters who distribute content to the public.
For years, Uganda’s entertainment industry has struggled with complaints from artists who say they are not adequately compensated when their work is played on radio, television, or digital platforms. The new Bill seeks to address this gap by ensuring that performers and other contributors receive payment whenever their work is commercially used.
Under the proposed law, musicians will be entitled to earn royalties each time their songs are broadcast or streamed. This marks a departure from the past where many artists were paid only once at the point of production or performance. Actors and film producers are also expected to benefit when movies or series are aired or distributed across platforms.
The Bill further introduces mechanisms aimed at strengthening the collection and distribution of royalties. Collecting societies, which have often been criticized for lack of transparency, will now operate under stricter regulations. This is intended to ensure that artists actually receive the money generated from the use of their content.
Another key aspect of neighbouring rights in the new legislation is the focus on digital protection. With the rise of online streaming and social media platforms, piracy has become a major concern for Uganda’s creatives. The Bill proposes stronger enforcement tools, including provisions that allow rights holders to demand the removal of illegally uploaded content. This could help curb unauthorized use of music, films, and other artistic works online.
Industry players argue that the introduction of stronger neighbouring rights could significantly boost Uganda’s creative economy. By guaranteeing income streams beyond initial payments, the law is expected to make artistic careers more sustainable. It may also attract investment into the sector, as producers and distributors gain clearer legal protection for their contributions.
However, the proposed changes have not been without controversy. Some broadcasters and business owners have raised concerns about increased operational costs, arguing that paying royalties for every use of content could affect their profitability. There are also questions about how effectively the new systems will be implemented, given past challenges in enforcement.
Despite these concerns, many artists have welcomed the Bill as long overdue. They argue that neighbouring rights recognize the collaborative nature of the creative process and ensure that everyone involved in producing and distributing content is fairly compensated.
As Uganda moves closer to adopting the new law, the debate around neighbouring rights highlights a broader shift towards valuing creative work as a key economic driver. If effectively implemented, the reforms could mark a turning point for the country’s art industry, offering artists not just recognition, but a more reliable source of income.
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