Hon. Norbert Mao the newly appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Wednesday 31st August 2022 held a meeting with the artists’ umbrella body National Culture Forum-(NCF) to discuss the amendment of the Copyright Act.
The meeting follows a petition by the National Culture Forum-NCF on the sharing of revenues arising out of Callers Ring Back Tunes- CRBTs.
In a letter, dated 12th April 2022, Artists complained of receiving a mere 1.8% of CRBTs revenue which they say is exploitative. In addition, their works are exploited via gadgets without remuneration.
The Minister under whose docket, the Copyright law falls has committed to supporting the amendment of the Act to meet the goal of more money in the pockets of artists.
His commitment is in line with a Presidential directive on the same issue in 2020.
He also reiterated the need to protect local cultures by regulating the inflow of foreign musicians into Uganda.
He pledged to mobilize the following Ministries, Finance, and of Gender, and the relevant agencies to a workshop on the CRBTs, the private copy levy, and other issues on copyright on 14th September 2022.
This is one of the strategies to achieve the desired changes.
