The Parliament of Uganda has passed the Copyright and Neighboring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing measures aimed at improving remuneration for creators and enhancing enforcement in the country’s creative sector.
The law establishes a structured system for the collection and distribution of royalties, with payments to be processed through platforms regulated under the National Payment Systems framework. Lawmakers said the reform addresses long-standing gaps in revenue collection for musicians, authors, and audiovisual producers, particularly regarding broadcasting and commercial use of content.
The legislation also expands the mandate of collecting societies, enabling them to manage royalties on behalf of rights holders more effectively. It further requires copyright owners to formally register their works to benefit from enforcement mechanisms, including content removal and legal protection in disputes.
Stricter penalties for copyright infringement have been introduced, with fines of up to Shs50 million and prison terms of up to 10 years targeting unauthorized reproduction and distribution of content. The law also creates a framework for “orphan works,” allowing licensed use of content whose authors cannot be identified while protecting creators’ rights if ownership is later established.
Uganda joins a growing number of African governments formalizing the creative and cultural industries, a sector that contributes significantly to employment and income. UNESCO estimates that cultural and creative industries account for around 3% of global GDP and employ tens of millions worldwide.
By aligning with international standards such as the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, Uganda aims to boost investor confidence and improve monetization opportunities for local content producers. The Bill now awaits presidential assent before it comes into effect.
