Copyright Law Means Little Without Sensitization — Sasha Vybz

Ugandan creatives have welcomed the passing of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Bill, 2025, in Parliament, but Sasha Vybz says the real work is only just beginning.

Speaking during a discussion on UBC TV, the multi-award-winning Ugandan music video director and cinematographer, whose real name is Ian Akankwasa, stressed the need for a proper understanding of the new law.

He warned that many creatives risk missing out if they do not fully understand what the law means and how it protects their work.

For him, education must come first before anything else.

First thing is education. We have to first of all, creatives and artistes, they have to be educated on what this law means. Now, once they understand that, they get themselves organised, get an understanding of what it means by copyright law. So, that is also very important that it happens. Once that happens, then you can start avoiding some of these setbacks that we are facing.

His remarks come at a time when many in the industry have started celebrating the bill as a major win for creatives across the country.

Parliament passed the bill on March 17, and it now awaits assent from the President before it becomes law.