Govt Targets September Rollout of Copyright Management System

What the report says

Uganda’s government is targeting the end of September to launch a new Copyright Management System intended to better protect creative works and help artists and other creators receive earnings from their content. The plan was outlined by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao during a meeting with Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) focused on how the system will be put into use.

According to Nile Post, testing and monitoring are already under way as officials work to turn the country’s copyright laws into a practical management framework. Mao said the reforms were driven in part by repeated complaints from creatives about exploitation and infringement, and he said the goal is not only to pass laws but to ensure they work in practice.

Mao urged CMOs, musicians, other creatives, government bodies and local governments to cooperate during the transition. He said existing CMOs still have an important role because of their experience in the sector, while government will focus on the legal and institutional framework, rights protection and dispute resolution.

The Registrar General of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Mustafa Ntaale, said the bureau has reviewed the system and is supporting its development and rollout. He also said URSB is pursuing broader internal reforms, including stronger corporate services and more automated registration processes.