Creatives ramp up pressure on MPs ahead of copyright debate

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Legendary musician Daniel Kazibwe, also known as Ragga Dee, has urged the public to respect and pay royalties to intellectual property holders.

Kazibwe, who also serves as chairperson of the National Cultural Forum (NCF), made the remarks during a press briefing at the National Theatre on Monday, March 16, 2026.

“Consumers or owners of TVs and radio stations or owners of restaurants and hotels should know that there is work that they use to attract customers to eat food and sleep in their hotels, for them to accept to pay,” he stated in Luganda as he asked them to see value in the work of creatives.

Isaac Geoffrey Nabwaana of Wakaliwood making his remarks during a press conference held at National Theatre about copyright. (Photo by Ignatius Kamya)

Further explaining, he said: “But someone in the first instance asks you, 'Do you have a TV?’ The TV does not show food, the TV displays films or music, which keeps someone in the room. We are asking you to return a token to those who help you keep people in the room, something small.”

The comments come just hours ahead of a parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, where the House is expected to debate the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2024. Issues expected to be discussed include calls by some lawmakers to delete Clause 9 of the Bill.

The provision proposes additional payments to producers and performers of sound recordings or audio-visual works for every commercial use, including broadcasting and public performances.

According to Kazibwe, since copyright cuts across different sectors, it presents an opportunity to grow the country’s inventive capacity and improve the economic fortunes of creatives.

“We don’t want people to keep on jumping out of the industry but rather for it to grow,” he warned.

Fashion world

His line of argument was supported by Ronnie Nsubuga, the founder of the Pearl of Africa Fashion Alliance. Nsubuga is also the chief executive officer of Crystal Models Africa.

Jeff Ekongot (holding a microphone) of Uganda Musicians Association addressing members of the press at National Theatre. (Photo by Ignatius Kamya)

“Time has come where we believe the copyright bill has to include us also, as people who work in the fashion industry. Fashion is not only about clothes. It goes to photographers, makeup artists, models, tailors, stylists. The industry is big, and we think it generates massive revenues for the country,” he argued.

“But we think the time has come, Ugandans need to start earning from their creation. We were extremely disappointed by what we heard from the August House. We were not happy with what we noticed. It showed us a picture that most.

Ugandans, especially our leaders, do not understand the Copyright Bill and yet they represent us,” Nsubuga added.

Dancers speak out

According to Moses Kyeyune, also known as Wembly Mo, a renowned dance instructor who runs a foundation for underprivileged youth, the country is losing a lot due to weak or absent legal frameworks. He noted that many creatives could be earning significantly, even from image rights.

Moses Kyeyune commonly known as Wembly Mo addresing remarking during a press conference held at National Theatre. (Photo by Ignatius Kamya)

“I have a son named Tenge Tenge, who is known worldwide. Yet, Tenge Tenge is one of the poorest in Uganda. When foreigners come here, they wonder how a child with 11 million views has not benefited from his fame. People from abroad ask me why Tenge Tenge hasn’t earned from his views and celebrity status…. Remember, he is a minor, not allowed on certain stages, yet he is famous and recognised globally,” Kyeyune illustrated.

“Hypers Kids are among the children who have come out of my foundation, the likes of Kapiripiti. They went to the World Cup opening ceremony and represented Uganda. The Ghetto Kids did the same. When the golden boot was awarded, they were present. If the Uganda government had supported us and provided copyright protection, these children could have benefited from what you saw on TV worldwide, because they had no way to collect their image rights,” he added.