Min. Nyamutoro defends Kenzo’s Federation in Parliament

Minister of State for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, shared positive news for Uganda’s music industry yesterday.

Nyamutoro, who championed the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) petition while serving as the National Female Youth legislator in October 2023, announced that the parliamentary committee on ICT has recommended a comprehensive approach to address the challenges faced by Ugandan musicians in the digital age.

Making her maiden speech on the floor of parliament yesterday, Nyamutoro said the parliamentary committee’s recommendation for a comprehensive approach signified a recognition of the industry’s potential and the need to address the concerns raised by the UNMF.

“Modernising the Copyright law will enhance enforcement mechanisms, promote local content and create a fair and transparent ecosystem in the music industry,” Nyamutoro stated on social media.

“Uganda can therefore foster a thriving and sustainable music industry by addressing the concerns raised which will not only safeguard the rights and interests of artists but also contribute to cultural and economic development.”

The UNMF petition, presented by Nyamutoro last year, outlined several key concerns. Musicians highlighted the outdated Copyright Law (2006) as a barrier to protecting their intellectual property rights in the digital era. The petition called for an update aligning the law with technological advancements and international best practices.

A major point of contention for Ugandan musicians was the revenue distribution from caller tunes. The UNMF argued that the current system unfairly benefits telecom companies, proposing a revision where 60% of the revenue goes to the artist.

Additionally, the petition advocated for a levy on devices used for reproducing copyrighted works, with proceeds shared between the government and copyright holders. The Federation also requested stricter penalties for copyright infringement, with fines for both individuals and broadcasters who use pirated content.

Looking towards the future, the UNMF emphasized the need to embrace the digital space. Their proposals included encouraging innovation in digital content creation and ensuring fair compensation for online use of copyrighted works.

Most notably, the petition called for a significant boost in Ugandan music airplay. They proposed a mandate for broadcasters to dedicate 90% of airtime to Ugandan music, further promoting local content and artists.

The Ugandan music industry is a vibrant and growing sector, employing over 400,000 people and contributing over 140 billion shillings to the economy annually.