Yoweri Museveni has assented to a new law aimed at strengthening copyright protection and improving how Ugandan creatives earn from their work, particularly in the fast-growing digital space.
The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, approved by Parliament of Uganda in March, revises the country’s 2006 framework to address emerging challenges such as online piracy and the widespread sharing of content on digital platforms.
Among the key provisions are tougher penalties for copyright violations. Individuals found guilty of infringement could face fines of up to Shs50 million, prison terms of up to 10 years, or both.
The law also introduces faster enforcement measures. Rights holders, together with the Registrar, are now empowered to compel online platforms to remove unauthorized content, making it easier to limit illegal distribution.
Although copyright protection will still apply automatically upon creation, artists will be required to formally register their works with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau to fully exercise enforcement rights, including issuing takedown notices.
To improve income flows for creatives, the government plans to establish a structured system for collecting and distributing royalties through the national payments framework. This is expected to enhance transparency and ensure more consistent compensation.
In addition, the legislation introduces limits on long-term transfer of rights. Any assignment of copyright will now run for a maximum of 20 years, after which ownership reverts to the original creator.
The reforms are expected to strengthen Uganda’s creative economy by offering better protection to artists, musicians, filmmakers, and other content producers, while positioning them to benefit more from both local and international markets.