By BigEyeUg Team
President Yoweri Museveni has officially assented to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, ushering in sweeping reforms aimed at transforming Uganda’s creative industry.
The newly signed law introduces stronger protections for artists, improves revenue-sharing mechanisms, and tightens enforcement against piracy—long considered one of the biggest challenges facing creatives in the country.
The assent concludes a legislative journey that began on March 18, 2025, when Parliament passed the Bill after months of extensive consultations involving artists, government officials, and key industry stakeholders. The process was marked by active participation from members of the creative sector, many of whom have consistently pushed for better legal safeguards to protect their work and earnings.
The amendment represents a significant overhaul of Uganda’s intellectual property framework, with a clear focus on strengthening creators’ rights, enhancing royalty collection systems, and curbing the widespread unauthorized use of artistic content.
During the final parliamentary deliberations, musicians and industry representatives were present in plenary, highlighting the importance of the Bill to the livelihoods of artists across the country.
Among those who welcomed the move was Eddy Kenzo, born Edrisa Musuuza and President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation. He described the development as a turning point for Uganda’s music industry, expressing optimism that the new law would empower artists to fully benefit from their creativity.
With the Act now in force, stakeholders in Uganda’s creative sector are hopeful that the long-standing issues of piracy and unfair revenue distribution will finally be addressed, paving the way for a more sustainable and rewarding industry.