KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has given the go-ahead for the implementation of a Copyright Management System aimed at safeguarding musicians’ rights and ensuring they earn from their work.
The system, developed by State House scientists under the leadership of Eng. Sheba Kyobutungi, will help register artists’ works, track their usage, and ensure fair payment for plays while curbing music piracy.
During a meeting with top officials, including the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) president, Edirisa Musuuza, popularly known as Eddy Kenzo, President Museveni emphasized the need for technology to accurately monitor music usage.
“Now technology should be able to tell us who has played my song and where,” Museveni stated.
The new system will require businesses such as bars, radio stations, and television stations to install licensed devices that track the number of times a song is played. This data will then determine how artists are paid.
For instance, if a bar pays UGX 1 million for a music license, the distribution of payments will depend on play counts. A song played 60 times will receive 60% of the license fee, ensuring fair compensation for musicians.
To enforce compliance, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and Uganda Police will work together to ensure all businesses adhere to the regulations. Businesses that fail to comply risk closure.
Eddy Kenzo, the president of UNMF, expressed his gratitude to President Museveni for supporting the creative industry and to Hon. Thomas Tayebwa for his unwavering commitment to the cause.
“The President expressed satisfaction with our proposed solutions, and we are thrilled to learn that the Copyright Amendment Draft Bill has been sent back to Parliament. We are optimistic that the amended Copyright Law will be enacted soon,” Kenzo said.
For years, many Ugandan musicians have struggled financially, especially after their peak careers. With this new system, artists will enjoy lifetime earnings from their music, benefiting both themselves and their families.
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