By Our Reporter

Legislators and stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions to the proposed Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, particularly over provisions that would require broadcasters to pay additional royalties to producers and performers when their music or audio-visual works are used commercially.
 

The Bill was presented for its second reading by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, who said the proposed amendments are intended to strengthen protection for creatives and ensure they receive fair compensation for the use of their intellectual property.

“Musicians are frustrated that their works are exploited, copied and played without any earnings from them,” Mao told Parliament during a sitting on March 12, 2026. “This Bill ensures that the intellectual property inherent in the creatives is rewarded appropriately.”

The Chairperson of the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Stephen Baka, said the proposed changes would create systems for equitable sharing of revenue generated from the use of creative works, particularly in the digital environment.

According to Baka, the Bill aims to expand remuneration channels for artists, including earnings from services such as callback ringtones, and to move beyond the traditional model where creators receive only one-off payments.

However, the proposal has sparked debate among lawmakers.

David Kabanda, the MP for Kasambya County, questioned whether it would be fair to require radio and television stations to pay artists whenever their songs are played.

“The radio or television may benefit from playing these songs, but so do the artistes because they are being popularised,” Kabanda said.

But Rachel Magoola, the Woman Representative for Bugweri District and a performing artist, defended the proposal, arguing that broadcasters should compensate creators whose works they use.

“It is internationally recognised that creators are compensated for their work. Radio stations that play any work have the responsibility to compensate the creators,” she said.

Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka clarified that the proposed law would allow broadcasters to negotiate arrangements with artists before using their works.

“If an artiste has made music and has not requested for it to be promoted, the least you can do is to inform them that you would like to promote their work. Unless an artiste requests promotion for commercial purposes, you will have to pay if you play it,” Kiwanuka explained.

Meanwhile, Michael Lulume, MP for Buikwe County South, urged Parliament to establish whether a cost-benefit analysis had been conducted regarding the proposal.

“We need to know what the creatives will gain and what they could lose, and also what broadcasters and consumers stand to gain or lose,” Lulume said.

Adding to the debate, youth advocate Martin Luther Nyanzi also raised concerns about the potential impact of the proposal on emerging musicians. In a message shared on his X (Twitter) account, Nyanzi questioned whether the proposed changes may mainly benefit already established artists while disadvantaging upcoming talent.

“The request to amend the Bill seems to focus on artists who have already made it in the industry,” Nyanzi wrote. “But what about upcoming artists? How will they become known if broadcasters must pay every time they play an artist’s music? Airplay has always been one of the main ways new musicians gain recognition.”

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, later halted debate on the Bill, directing that a detailed cost-benefit analysis be conducted before further discussions continue.