In 2026, Uganda finally updated its copyright rules in a big way – and this time, musicians, producers and DJs are at the center of the conversation. Parliament passed amendments to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights law to modernise an older framework, strengthen protection for creative works and improve how royalties are paid.
If you write songs, record vocals, produce beats, DJ in clubs or run a small label, this new law affects how you earn from your music. This FAQ breaks down the key points in simple language so you can understand your rights without needing a legal degree.
What is the new Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2026 in Uganda?
The 2026 changes are amendments to Uganda’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights law that were approved by Parliament to update the country’s copyright framework. The goal is to give creators – including musicians, authors and other artists – better protection, fairer royalties and penalties that actually deter infringement.
Official statements describe the amendments as a landmark step for Uganda’s creative industry, aligning local copyright rules more closely with international standards while recognising the realities of digital music and online use.
Who is protected under Uganda’s new copyright law – and what kind of music works qualify?
Copyright protection in Uganda covers “literary and artistic works”, which includes musical compositions, sound recordings, music videos and other creative works fixed in a tangible form. That means once your song is written down, recorded or otherwise captured in a medium, it is protected as a work – you do not need a hit single for your rights to exist.
The law recognises both the original creative work (for example the composition and lyrics) and related neighbouring rights like performances and sound recordings, which are very important in the music industry.
How does the 2026 law help Ugandan musicians earn royalties from their songs?
One of the headline changes is that the amendments require “equitable remuneration” to be paid to performers and producers when sound recordings or audio‑visual fixations are used for commercial advertisement, broadcasting or public performance. In simple terms, when your recorded music is used to push a brand, played on radio or TV, or performed publicly, there should be a system for you to be paid.
The law also provides for these royalties to be paid through regulated payment systems under the National Payment Systems framework, with the Registrar monitoring usage and sending reports to the minister. This is meant to make collections and distributions more transparent and less dependent on informal arrangements that often left artists unpaid.
Do producers, performers and DJs also get a share of royalties under the new Act?
Yes. The amendments are very clear that performers and producers are entitled to equitable remuneration when sound recordings are used commercially, not just the original composer alone. That means vocalists, instrumentalists, beat‑makers and producers involved in the recording can have rights to share in income when their work is broadcast or used in advertising.
In commentary around the law, the proposed model for certain digital revenues even suggests revenue splits that heavily favour creators and performers compared to telecoms and aggregators, signalling a stronger focus on paying artists first.
What are Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) and how do they pay artists?
Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) are bodies formed by rights holders to license music users, collect royalties and distribute those royalties to members. In Uganda, CMOs are responsible for licensing radios, TVs, venues and other users of music, collecting licence fees and passing those earnings back to musicians and other rights owners after costs.
The amendments expand and tighten the role of collecting societies, adding clearer responsibilities and penalties for anyone operating illegally or mismanaging funds, in order to promote more equitable remuneration for content creators.
How can a musician actually receive royalties through a CMO?
To earn through a CMO, you generally need to register as a member, declare your works and allow the organisation to manage your economic rights so it can license users and collect fees on your behalf. Groups like the Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) are tasked with collecting royalties from radio, TV, public performance and certain digital uses, then distributing those royalties to their registered members.
How can a Ugandan artist register their works and prove ownership?
Copyright protection in Uganda is automatic as soon as an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form, but registration with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) provides official proof of ownership.[web:130][web:142] URSB explains that creators can apply for copyright registration by submitting forms, copies of the work and paying the relevant fees, after which the work is gazetted and a certificate of registration can be issued if there is no objection.[web:130][web:142][web:144]
The new amendments even require a certificate of registration before the Registrar can order certain enforcement measures, such as blocking or taking down infringing content, which makes proper registration more important.[web:73][web:74]
Basic steps to register a song in Uganda
Guides for artists outline a straightforward process: visit URSB or its regional offices, file an application for copyright registration, attach copies of your work and wait for publication in the Uganda Gazette before receiving a certificate if no objections are raised. The fees cover the registration and gazetting, but the certificate itself is typically issued without an extra charge when the process is complete
How does the new law affect radios, TVs, hotels, bars and events that play music?
Under Uganda’s copyright framework, businesses and broadcasters that use music publicly – like radio and TV stations, hotels, bars, clubs and event organisers – are expected to obtain licences and pay for the use of music. The 2026 amendments reinforce this by tying equitable remuneration for performers and producers directly to commercial advertisement use, broadcasting and public performance of sound recordings and audio‑visual works.
CMOs such as UPRS license these users, collect licence fees and then distribute royalties to registered members, so regular music use without proper licences can expose users to legal and financial risk under the strengthened law.[web:145][web:146]
What happens if someone uses my song in an advert without permission?
When a brand, broadcaster or agency uses your song in a commercial advertisement without permission or proper licensing, it can amount to copyright infringement, especially now that the law explicitly recognises equitable remuneration for such uses. The amended Act allows rights holders to seek enforcement and introduces tougher penalties for publishing, broadcasting, distributing or reproducing works without authorisation or licence from the rights owner or their agent.
In practice, an artist who finds their music in an advert should document the use, confirm they did not grant a licence, and seek advice from a lawyer, URSB or their CMO about possible remedies under the new law.
What penalties does the 2026 law introduce for copyright infringement?
The amendments significantly increase penalties for serious infringement, including those who publish, broadcast, distribute or reproduce works without the authorisation or licence of the rights owner. Offenders can face fines of up to the equivalent of UGX 50 million, prison sentences of up to 10 years, or both, depending on the nature of the offence and how the court applies the law.
The law also targets people who knowingly sell or buy equipment meant for making infringing copies, and those who operate as collecting societies without authorisation, with heavy fines and possible imprisonment in both cases.
What should Ugandan musicians do now to benefit from the new law?
The law on paper is a big victory, but artists only feel the impact if they take a few practical steps: register their works, join credible CMOs, keep basic contracts in place and pay attention to how their music is used. Industry observers stress that many Ugandan artists still miss out on royalties because they have not registered with societies like UPRS or do not track where their music is being played.
Action checklist for musicians, producers and DJs
- Register your songs, beats and recordings with URSB so you have formal proof of ownership.
- Join a recognised CMO such as UPRS to be eligible for royalties from radio, TV, events and other licensed uses.
- Keep simple agreements with producers, writers and collaborators so everyone’s share is clear.
- Monitor how your music is used in adverts, shows and events, and ask questions when big brands or media use your tracks.
- Stay informed about updates from URSB, UPRS and musician organisations on how the new law is being implemented.
Uganda’s new copyright law is a major step toward paying creatives what they deserve – but the real change happens when musicians know their rights, organise their catalogues and insist on being paid for the value their music creates.
