The proposed 6 per cent tax on public entertainers’ fees by the government of Uganda has stired debate and split public opinion in the country.
The Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties) Henry Musasizi presented the tax proposal on Wednesday as part of the eight amendment Bills targeting Shs1.74 trillion Ugandan in extra revenue for the Financial year 2026/2027. Organizers of events would deduct the final 6% from payments to musicians, comedians, and theater artists to formalize the informal sector amid rising Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) scrutiny on incomes from copyright collections. Some of the supporters of the proposed tax like media personality Douglas Lwanga called for artists to get tax consultants and track expenses, while critics including music consultant Wayne Frank Ntambi predicted more hiding of cash gigs at weddings and clubs.
The Parliment Bills remain under House review.
The development comes weeks after Parliament on March 17, 2026, passed the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a major victory for creatives by enhancing remuneration, strengthening enforcement against piracy, and updating protections for the digital age.
Key changes include mandatory royalties for broadcast usage, stricter fines for violations, and the introduction of a digital management system to track content.