Good News for the Music Industry as President Museveni Approves New Developments

President Yoweri Museveni has approved a new Copyright Management System to safeguard the work of musicians in Uganda and ensure they are fairly compensated.

In a meeting at his Rwakitura residence with top officials and artists, including musician Eddy Kenzo, President Museveni stressed the importance of using technology to track music usage.

“Now technology should be able to tell us who has played my song and where,” he stated.

Key Features of the System:

- The new Copyright Management System will:

- Register and protect the work of musicians.

- Track the usage of songs in venues such as bars, radio stations, and TV channels.

- Ensure that artists receive fair compensation for their music.

- Help combat music piracy, ensuring creators are properly rewarded.

Under the system, businesses like bars and media outlets that play Ugandan music will need to use licensed devices. These devices will monitor how often a song is played, ensuring musicians are paid accordingly.

For instance, if a bar pays 1 million Ugandan shillings for a music licence, artists will receive a share of that fee based on how many times their songs are played. If a song is played 60 times, the artist will get 60% of the bar’s fee.

Businesses will be required to install tracking devices, and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) will oversee compliance. The Uganda Police will also enforce the law, and businesses that fail to comply may face closure.

The new system will benefit many musicians who struggle financially after their early years of success. With this system, artists will earn a continuous income from their songs, benefiting not only the musicians but their families as well.

The project, developed by State House scientists under the leadership of Eng. Sheba Kyobutungi, will involve cooperation between agencies such as UCC, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and the Uganda Police to ensure full enforcement.

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