President Museveni Assents to Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Act

Uganda has taken a major step in reshaping its creative industry after President Yoweri Museveni signed the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, into law.

Parliament had earlier passed the bill on March 17, 2026, with a focus on curbing piracy, improving royalty collection, and updating copyright rules for the digital age. Now, with presidential assent, the changes move from proposal to enforcement.

The new law places strong emphasis on helping creators earn from their work. It introduces tighter systems for collecting royalties and protecting economic rights, especially for musicians and filmmakers who have long raised concerns about unpaid earnings.

It also makes copyright registration mandatory through the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). Only registered works will qualify for full protection under the updated framework.

At the same time, the law targets online piracy. Authorities can now monitor digital platforms more closely and take action against infringing content, including blocking it.

Financial transparency is another key shift. The law introduces structured systems to manage income, reducing informal cash-based payments that have dominated the industry.

In addition, Uganda has aligned its copyright framework with international standards while strengthening institutions, including the creation of a dedicated department under URSB to handle copyright and neighbouring rights.

For many in the creative sector, this marks a long-awaited breakthrough. With the law now in place, attention shifts to how effectively it will be enforced.