The Government of Uganda is preparing to roll out a new Copyright Management System aimed at improving the protection of creative works and ensuring artists and other rights holders receive fair compensation.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, said the system is part of Government’s efforts to move beyond the enactment of copyright laws and establish a practical mechanism for identifying, monitoring and managing creative works.

Mao made the remarks during an engagement with Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), where stakeholders discussed the implementation of the new copyright management framework.

According to the Minister, Uganda’s push for stronger copyright protection was largely driven by creatives who raised concerns about the unauthorised use and exploitation of their work.

He said the passage of legislation was only the beginning, adding that effective implementation was now necessary to ensure copyright holders can benefit financially from their creations.

“The priority now is to translate the legal framework into a functioning system,” Mao said, stressing the need to properly identify creative works, monitor their use and ensure creators receive the income they are entitled to.

The Minister called for cooperation among CMOs, musicians, other creatives, Government institutions and local authorities as the country transitions to the new system.

He also sought to reassure existing CMOs that their experience would remain important in the new arrangement. Mao said the knowledge accumulated by organisations that have worked in copyright management should be retained rather than discarded.

He encouraged stakeholders to raise concerns and offer suggestions during the implementation process, saying their participation would help strengthen the system.

Mao further said Government should concentrate on creating the necessary legal and institutional environment, protecting rights and handling disputes, while giving the creative industry room to grow without excessive government intervention.

The Minister revealed that Government is targeting the end of September for the rollout of the Copyright Management System.

He said the system is already undergoing testing and monitoring as authorities work towards its implementation.

Mao urged stakeholders to approach the new phase collectively, saying the broader objective was to reduce exploitation in Uganda’s creative industry and enable people to earn sustainable income from their intellectual property.

Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Registrar General Mustafa Ntaale welcomed the engagement with CMOs and commended the consultative process being used to develop the system.

Ntaale thanked Mao for his leadership and support for reforms within Uganda’s creative sector and URSB.

He said URSB had already engaged with the team responsible for developing the Copyright Management System and reviewed the proposed system.

The Bureau, he added, is prepared to work with CMOs and other stakeholders to support the successful implementation of the new framework.

Ntaale also outlined other reforms being undertaken by URSB, including efforts to strengthen its Corporate Department and increase automation of registration services.

The reforms are intended to make registration processes more efficient and improve service delivery to stakeholders.

The planned copyright management system is expected to mark a significant step in Uganda’s efforts to strengthen intellectual property protection and create a more organised environment in which artists and other creators can benefit from the commercial use of their work.