As celebrations continue across Uganda’s music industry following the passing of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, veteran music critic Eddy Sendi has pushed back against claims that the law is already in effect.
Sendi took aim at Eddy Kenzo, who has been making media rounds suggesting that the new copyright framework is operational.
According to Sendi, such statements are not only premature but risk misleading artists about what lies ahead.
“Kenzo is a musician first. On legal matters like copyright, he needs guidance,” Sendi said, urging the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) president to consult legal experts when addressing complex policy issues.
While acknowledging Parliament’s approval as a major milestone, Sendi emphasized that the legislative process is not yet complete.
He explained that the bill must first receive presidential assent before it becomes law. Even after that, he noted, it must return to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, where detailed regulations will be drafted to guide its implementation.
These regulations, he said, will determine how royalties are collected, distributed, and enforced, often involving institutions like the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
Without these frameworks, Sendi likened the law to “a car without fuel”—complete in structure but unable to function.
He warned that artists celebrating immediate financial gains could face disappointment if they overlook the realities of implementation.
“The real impact will only be felt when the regulations are in place,” he cautioned.
Sendi also highlighted the importance of formal registration, noting that artists who are not signed up with the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) risk missing out on future royalty payments.
His remarks add a sobering perspective to the ongoing excitement, underscoring that while progress has been made, the real test lies in how the law is implemented.
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