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Chief Guest Dr. Mary Teopista (Center), Amb. Francis Butagira, Registrar General Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho and URSB board members pose for a photo at the URSB ISO Certification External Stakeholders celebration

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Parliament of Uganda Passes Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Uganda’s Parliament has enacted the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a key milestone in strengthening protections for artists and other creatives.

Parliament passed the Bill during a plenary session on 17th to 18th March 2026 under the stewardship of Rt. Hon. Speaker Anita Annet Among, and will now be presented to the President for assent before it becomes law.

The Bill was first read in Parliament on 13th May 2025, beginning a long legislative journey that involved detailed debates, committee scrutiny, and widespread input from stakeholders in the creative sector.

The amendments modernise the country’s copyright framework and introduce stiff penalties for infringement, including fines of up to UGX 50 million and imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both, for various copyright‑related offences.

It also provides stronger legal protection for literary, scientific and artistic works and includes new provisions on royalties, digital protections and enforcement measures.

As the national intellectual property office, URSB officials attended key parliamentary readings, provided technical support, and welcomed the reforms that enhance copyright enforcement and royalty collection. Once the law is in force, URSB will be central to implementing the changes, including overseeing registration, supporting collecting societies and guiding artists and businesses on compliance.

The new law is expected to curb piracy, improve earnings for creators, and bring Uganda’s copyright regime into closer alignment with international standards, benefiting authors, performers, filmmakers and other rights holders across the creative economy.