Musician Edirisa Musuuza, popularly known as Eddy Kenzo, has welcomed the Presidential assent to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, describing it as a major milestone for Uganda’s creative industry.
In a message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Kenzo said the new law reflects years of advocacy by artists and stakeholders seeking stronger protection and fair compensation.
“We warmly welcome the Presidential assent to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, a milestone that strengthens the protection, value, and future of our music and the entire creative sector,” he wrote.
Kenzo thanked President Yoweri Museveni for signing the bill into law but emphasized that effective implementation will determine its real impact.
“This is progress, but the mission continues. The struggle for full implementation, enforcement, and real economic transformation of our creatives is still on. Step by step, we move forward,” he added.
The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026 introduces sweeping reforms aimed at curbing piracy, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and aligning Uganda’s intellectual property framework with international standards.
The bill was tabled by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, who described it as a game-changer for the creative economy.
“This bill is a turning point for our creative industry. It will provide stronger protection for creators, streamline the sector, and introduce tougher penalties for piracy and copyright infringement,” Mao said.
One of the key provisions in the law is a revised revenue-sharing model for caller ring-back tones, a major source of income for musicians. Under the new framework, authors and performers will receive 60% of the revenue, telecommunications companies 31%, and aggregators 8.5%.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), which oversees intellectual property rights, has also welcomed the reforms, noting that they will enhance enforcement, improve monetisation, and reduce losses caused by piracy.
While industry players have praised the amendment as a step forward, Kenzo reiterated that without proper enforcement, the law may not fully deliver on its promise.