Nyanzi’s remarks have split opinion among stakeholders, with some artists calling for an overhaul while others insist on stronger protections.
Kampala, Uganda: A heated rift has erupted in Uganda’s music industry after media mogul Nyanzi Martin Luther questioned the effectiveness of the country’s copyright laws, warning that the current system is costly, inefficient, and offers little real benefit to local musicians.
Nyanzi’s remarks have split opinion among stakeholders, with some artists calling for an overhaul while others insist on stronger protections. Uganda National Musicians Federation president Eddy Kenzo — fresh from a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni over the Copyright Amendment Draft Bill — said the reforms will modernize the legal framework and guarantee fair compensation for creatives.
“The amended Copyright Law will soon be in place, and it will protect our work and ensure financial stability for artists,” Kenzo said, underscoring the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights.
But not all industry voices agree. Singer King Saha backed Nyanzi’s concerns, insisting that “we need a system that works for us, not against us.”
Nyanzi argued that a properly executed copyright regime would benefit both artists and media houses, citing increased radio and TV airplay once broadcasters are assured that rights-holders are compensated. “This will not only benefit the artists but also the media outlets, as they will have access to a vast library of music,” he said.
The newly approved copyright management framework, signed off by President Museveni, introduces sweeping reforms, including a centralized Registration that houses a national database for all copyrighted material to eliminate disputes and secure ownership, usage Tracking, for monitoring of licensed venues and broadcasters to log music plays for accurate royalty payments and revenue sharing model based on actual airplay, ensuring earnings reflect usage.
Proponents say the system will curb piracy, professionalize the industry, and stabilize incomes for creatives. Critics warn that compliance costs could alienate smaller players.
As Uganda’s music sector waits for the rollout, one question remains: will this be the breakthrough artists have long demanded, or just another bureaucratic layer in an already struggling industry?
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