Modernising Uganda's Intellectual Property Laws

The Ugandan Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025 marks a significant step in modernising Uganda's intellectual property laws to better protect creators and innovators. Introduced by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao, the bill aims to strengthen copyright protections, particularly for musicians and artists, ensuring fair compensation for their work. Whilst the bill undergoes parliamentary scrutiny, this article seeks to weigh in on its key aspects and to highlight its potential benefits for musicians and artists.

What does the amendment Bill generally seek to achieve:

• The Bill is intended to amongst other things, domesticate several international copyright treaties that had been ratified by Uganda but not domesticated as required under the Ratification of Treaties Act (Cap 190) and then domesticated by an Act of the Ugandan parliament, which is the current Bill.