In Uganda, artists, especially musicians and filmmakers, face undocumented remuneration and uncollected royalties, with estimated losses of 360 billion Ugandan Shillings. The Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act of 2006 aims to protect artists’ rights, but implementation is hindered by a culture of providing creative content for free. Many artists lack awareness of copyright law and its benefits. The Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) struggles to collect royalties due to artist skepticism. Filmmakers also face challenges, with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) failing to enforce the law effectively. This discussion explores the complexities artists encounter within Uganda’s legal framework.

In the discussion about the state of artists’ remuneration in Uganda, several key talking points will be highlighted to provide a comprehensive overview of the issues and challenges faced by artists in the country. These talking points include:

1. The absence of comprehensive documentation of artists’ remuneration and how a culture of unfairness affects artists, making them a vulnerable group.
2. Highlight the significant issue of uncollected royalties, estimated at around 360 billion Ugandan Shillings, and its impact on artists’ income.
3. Explore the various attitudes of artists toward copyright, including those who prefer to provide their work for free to gain exposure and those who are unaware of how copyright can protect their art.
4. Challenges in Registering Creative Works:  Examine the complexities and costs associated with registering creative works under the Copyright Act, particularly focusing on the challenges for musicians who may have a substantial catalog of songs.
5. The gap in enforcing copyright laws and how it affects the creative sector, with filmmakers expressing grievances about URSB’s role.