State Minister for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, has clarified that the proposed amendment to Uganda’s copyright law currently before Parliament is intended to benefit all creatives not just musicians.
Speaking to the media during the launch of President Yoweri Museveni’s music album at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Phiona Nyamutoro emphasized that the law aims to protect the intellectual property of artists across various sectors, ensuring they receive fair recognition and compensation for their work.
“This law is not going to benefit only musicians; it will benefit all creatives in Uganda,” she stated.
Phiona Nyamutoro, who is spearheading the amendment alongside fellow legislators such as Dr. Hilderman, said the bill is a significant step toward building a stronger creative industry.
She explained that it would help safeguard original works, encourage healthy competition, and raise the quality of Ugandan content to meet global standards.
“With this law in place, we’re looking at protecting creative works, enhancing competitiveness, and improving quality so that Ugandan creatives can stand tall on the international stage,” she added.
The Minister also described the amendment as a timely and foundational move for the growth of Uganda’s creative economy.
“I think this is a very good foundation that has been laid, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Nyamutoro remarked.
The amendment to the copyright law has been a central issue within Uganda’s creative sector in recent years. For months, the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), led by its president Eddy Kenzo, has been actively lobbying for reforms to end exploitation in the industry.
Kenzo and other advocates argue that despite their popularity, many Ugandan musicians live in poverty due to piracy and the absence of legal frameworks to enforce royalties. They believe that once the bill is passedbnow in its final stages of reviewbcreatives will finally have the tools to build sustainable and financially rewarding careers.
The bill is currently under committee review and is awaiting its second and third readings in Parliament, where it is expected to pass with broad support.