In a plenary sitting on October 18, 2023, Deputy Attorney General Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi disclosed that the government is actively involved in comprehensive consultations regarding the Copyright and Neighbourhood Rights Act of 2006. The discussions aim to amend the existing law to address issues such as piracy, safeguard copyrighted content, and rectify the unfair distribution of revenues collected from the creative industry by telecom companies through caller-back tunes.
The process of amending the law commenced in July 2022 when Hon. Hillary Kiyaga (NUP, Mawokota County North) received permission to introduce an amendment bill. This bill, among other provisions, seeks to regulate piracy and ensure just compensation for creative works.
Deputy Attorney General Kafuuzi clarified that the delay in introducing the amendment was deliberate, driven by the necessity for extensive consultations. The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and Uganda Law Reform Commission (ULRC), in collaboration with Hon. Kiyaga, have been conducting regional consultations across the country. Consultations have already concluded in Northern Uganda, with further sessions planned for Eastern, Western, and Central regions between October 18 and November 15, 2023.
The results of these consultations will be integrated into a report, and a Regulatory Impact Assessment will be submitted to the Cabinet. Once the Cabinet approves the principles for amending the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act of 2006, an amendment Bill will be presented to Parliament for enactment.
Highlighting the significance of the copyright amendment, Hon. James Baba (NRM, Koboko County) emphasized that government should take the lead in protecting the rights of talented individuals in the performing arts. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa advised MPs initiating private member’s bills, such as Hon. Kiyaga, to collaborate closely with the Attorney General to streamline the legislative process, as afforded by Article 94(4)(b-d) of the Constitution of Uganda. This provision grants MPs the right to move a private member’s bill with assistance from the government and professional support from the Office of the Attorney General.
