Renowned Ugandan singer Nina Roz has called for strict enforcement of Uganda’s proposed copyright reforms, warning that legislation alone will not improve the livelihoods of artists.
In a statement shared on her official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, the former National Unity Platform Sembabule District Woman Member of Parliament aspirant delivered a candid assessment of the realities faced by creatives. She stressed that while the proposed law offers promise, its impact will depend largely on implementation.
“Artists have carried this country’s culture for years with little protection, little pay, and even less respect. So yes, recognising creative ownership matters. But let’s be real — laws on paper don’t change lives. Enforcement does,” she wrote.
Nina Roz emphasised that proper enforcement could transform the economic prospects of artists across Uganda’s creative sector.
“If this copyright law is actually implemented, it could finally mean artists earning from their sweat, their voice, their stories. Less exploitation, more creators living off their craft. That’s the only part that matters,” she added.
She also urged stakeholders to move beyond political praise and focus on tangible outcomes for musicians, producers, writers and other creatives.
“Because this isn’t about praising policy. It’s about whether creatives will finally see real value from what they create,” she concluded.
The remarks come amid growing debate over the proposed Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025, introduced by Norbert Mao, who also serves as President General of the Democratic Party Uganda.
The legislation seeks to modernise Uganda’s copyright framework and align it with international standards to ensure fairer remuneration for creators.
Among the key reforms is a new revenue-sharing model for caller ringback tones, under which authors and performers would receive 60 percent of generated revenue, while telecommunications companies would take 31 percent and aggregators 8.5 percent.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau has welcomed the reforms, saying they could strengthen Uganda’s creative economy by improving legal protection and expanding opportunities for artists to monetise their work.
Officials say the proposed amendments are designed to address persistent challenges such as piracy and unauthorised distribution of creative content while unlocking the sector’s broader economic potential.
If enacted, the bill is expected to introduce a more structured and transparent intellectual property management system and encourage investment in Uganda’s cultural and creative industries.
