Daniel Mugula
Wednesday 14 October 2026
KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda will host a regional copyright symposium from October 19 to 21, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo, bringing together representatives from more than 22 countries to discuss protecting creative works, fighting piracy and ensuring artists earn fair income.
Mr. Mustapher Ntale
The symposium, organised by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), will run under the theme “Empowering Creativity, Harnessing Intellectual Property for Sustainable Development in Africa.”
URSB officials said the meeting comes as Uganda strengthens its copyright framework to protect musicians, filmmakers, writers, photographers and other creatives from infringement and unfair remuneration.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, URSB Acting Registrar General Mustapher Ntale said the symposium would promote regional cooperation and practical solutions to copyright challenges, particularly in the digital era.
URSB Head of Compliance and Enforcement Miriam Nabatanzi said amendments to Uganda’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights law introduce stronger enforcement measures, including penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Shs50 million, subject to the applicable law and court decisions.
Martin Muhumuza
The amended law also provides for creators to receive 60 per cent of revenue generated from caller ring-back tones and introduces a mechanism through which creators may reclaim economic rights transferred to others after 20 years, subject to legal conditions.
Nabatanzi urged artists and other creatives to use written contracts detailing ownership, remuneration and the terms governing the use of their works. She said copyright-related contracts must be registered with URSB within 60 days of execution under the amended legal framework.
She added that the reforms incorporate five international copyright treaties, strengthening protection for eligible Ugandan works abroad while requiring Uganda to protect qualifying foreign works under applicable international agreements.
URSB has also been empowered to handle certain copyright disputes through quasi-judicial procedures, with parties dissatisfied with a registrar’s decision retaining the right to appeal to the High Court.
Representing musician and Senior Presidential Advisor on Creatives Eddy Kenzo, manager Martin Muhumuza called for transparent royalty payments, stronger enforcement, accessible registration services and digital systems to track the use of creative works.
He said copyright protection must translate into sustainable earnings for artists and other industry players, describing creativity as an important source of employment, business and national economic growth.
URSB encouraged creatives to register their works to help establish ownership records, noting that copyright protection generally arises automatically when an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form.
Ntale said the bureau was upgrading its systems and expected to introduce automated copyright registration before the end of 2026.
The symposium is expected to bring together intellectual property officials, collective management organisations, policymakers and industry stakeholders to explore ways of improving copyright administration, royalty collection and enforcement across Africa.
The meeting will also contribute to activities leading up to ARIPO’s 50th anniversary celebrations in November 2026.
