Entertainment
Why Uganda is Moving to Limit Exclusive Music Contracts to 20 Years to Protect Artists’ Rights
The government of Uganda is proposing a landmark amendment to copyright law aimed at restoring creative control and ownership of original music works back to artists after 20 years, ending the era of perpetual exclusive recording contracts that have long disadvantaged musicians.
Under current industry practice, exclusive recording contracts bind artists to a single label for extended periods, often claiming rights not only to works produced during the contract but also to earlier creations, known in the music business as the “masters.” Once locked away, artists lose ownership and control over how their music is used or distributed. This has led to high-profile disputes in the global music industry, including a famous legal battle involving George Michael and Sony in 1992.
In Uganda, many musicians have signed such contracts, drawn by upfront payments and steady income from royalties, only to discover later that their creative and financial freedoms are severely limited. Once bound by these contracts, artists find it difficult to reclaim their works, as managers and labels hold tight to the masters, which represent the most valuable assets in the music business.
To address this imbalance, the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, tabled in Parliament in May 2025 by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, seeks to cap copyright assignments, licenses, or transfers to a maximum period of 20 years. The bill is currently under review by the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, chaired by MP Stephen Bakka Mugabi.
The proposed Sections 13A and 13B of the Bill state that any assignment or transfer of economic rights shall not exceed 20 years. Importantly, artists would be entitled to reclaim copyright ownership during the five years before the expiry of this period, a move Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka described as a “game changer.”
“You cannot enter into a contract with a singer for 40 years or more. The copyright belongs to the creator forever — they are the ‘mailo owner’ of their work, while users only hold leaseholder rights,” Kiwanuka explained during a committee meeting on August 7.
However, some stakeholders caution that this reform could undermine long-term investments in the creative sector. KS Alpha, a renowned Ugandan musician, warns that returns on investments in music often materialise after decades, and limiting contracts to 20 years could deter investors and labels from backing artists.
This concern is echoed by Charles Batambuze, Executive Director of the Uganda Reproduction Rights Organisation (URRO), who believes that contractual arrangements, rather than legislation, should govern licensing durations. He pointed out that older music catalogues often become more profitable over time and that imposing statutory limits could make Uganda’s creative industries less attractive to investors, particularly for works like films and television with extended licensing cycles.
Afrigo Band’s Executive Director, James Wasula, also opposed the proposed amendment, saying it contradicts the spirit of contracts and risks depriving copyright owners of full exploitation rights before recouping their investments.
“If I lose rights after twenty years, I might not have fully recovered what I invested in producing the work,” Wasula said.
Besides copyright reversion, musician-politician Hillary Kiyaga of Mawokota North advocates for stronger reforms of Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), bodies that license copyrighted works and collect royalties on behalf of artists. Drawing on Kenya’s model, where the Music Copyright Society efficiently handles royalty collection and distribution, Kiyaga argues that improved CMOs would simplify licensing, ensure fair compensation, and enhance access to creative content for users.
As the amendment bill undergoes scrutiny, the debate underscores a broader tension in Uganda’s creative sector: balancing artists’ rights and empowerment with the realities of business investment and industry growth.
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