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Parliament has directed the Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, to present the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill by May 2024 in response to concerns raised by Sheema South MP Elijah Mushemeza regarding telecommunications operations. This legislation aims to introduce amendments to various provisions within the existing Act, particularly addressing issues related to Caller Ring Back Tones (CRBTs) charges imposed by telecommunications companies.
CRBTs, which serve as audible indicators for callers awaiting connection, encompass various audio works such as songs, voice recordings, poems, and comedies, preset by telecommunications providers. However, concerns have been raised regarding the disparity in revenue distribution, with artists receiving minimal compensation for their contributions.
According to a report presented by Kibaale County MP Cuthbert Abigaba during Thursday’s plenary sitting, the Committee on ICT highlighted deficiencies in the revenue-sharing model, particularly in relation to CRBTs. The breakdown revealed that artists receive only a fraction of the revenue generated, with the lion’s share going to government taxes, telecommunications companies, and aggregators.
Comparatively, neighboring countries like Kenya have implemented more favorable revenue-sharing structures, allocating a larger percentage of net revenue to artists. Kenya’s recent copyright amendment grants artists 52 percent of CRBT net revenue, in contrast to Uganda’s less equitable distribution.
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The delay in tabling the Copyright Bill has drawn scrutiny from Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who questioned the government’s prolonged consultation process. Despite assurances of concluded consultations, the absence of legislative action prompted Tayebwa to call for expeditious implementation, stressing the importance of timely legal reforms.
Mawokota County North MP Hillary Kiyaga, who initially sought to introduce a Private Member’s Bill on the matter, emphasized the urgency of addressing artist rights through comprehensive legislative amendments. Kiyaga urged swift action to enable artists to receive fair compensation for their creative endeavors.
In response, ICT and National Guidance State Minister Godfrey Baluku assured Parliament of ongoing collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General to finalize and table the Copyright Bill. Baluku underscored the necessity of legal reforms to ensure equitable compensation for artists, citing the successful implementation of similar amendments in Kenya.
As Parliament continues to advocate for the rights of artists and the equitable distribution of revenue generated from creative works, the forthcoming Copyright Bill stands as a crucial step towards addressing longstanding concerns within the entertainment industry.
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