On Wednesday, October 4th, 2023, the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), Uganda’s Musicians led by their president Eddy Kenzo, made a bold move by marching to the Uganda Parliament. Their mission? To witness and deliver a petition aimed at addressing crucial issues affecting their industry, calling for amendments to the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act (2006).
For some time now, the creative industry has been clamoring for changes to the outdated Copyright Act, struggling to adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape and international practices that have transformed the copyright landscape. The musicians argue that the current legal framework for the distribution of revenue from caller back tunes disproportionately favors telecom companies over the artists who deserve more from their creative endeavors.
Their primary request was directed at Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, urging him to engage the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and other relevant authorities in amending the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act of 2006 to incorporate their proposed reforms.
The UNMF members presented their petition to Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who promptly assigned it to Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, the National Female Youth Member of Parliament. Hon. Nyamutoro took the responsibility of reading the petition aloud on the Parliament floor, prompting the Speaker to inquire about the delays in addressing this pressing matter.
In response, the Attorney General explained that the act was undergoing further deliberations in his chambers. Deputy Speaker Tayebwa then forwarded the petition to the committee on ICT, instructing them to process the petition and deliver a report to the House within 30 days.
This bold move by Uganda’s musicians led by Eddy Kenzo signifies their determination to secure a brighter future for their industry and ensure that their creative endeavors are justly rewarded in the digital age.
