Uganda to Host Continental Copyright Symposium to Strengthen Creator’s Rights

14 October 2026, 3:54 pm

By Nakato Annet

Uganda will host a continental symposium on copyright and related rights management aimed at strengthening the protection of creative works and helping artists earn from their talent.

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Symposium on Copyright and Related Rights Management will take place from October 19 to 21, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

The meeting will bring together policymakers, heads of copyright offices, collective management organisations and other stakeholders from ARIPO member states to discuss ways of improving copyright protection and promoting Africa’s creative economy.

Organised by ARIPO in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), the symposium will run under the theme “Empowering Creativity: Harnessing IP for Sustainable Development in Africa.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, URSB Acting Registrar General Mustapher Ntale said the symposium would provide a platform for strengthening copyright administration and increasing the economic value of creative works.

Uganda and Africa are rich in creative talent, but talent must be supported by systems that protect creators and enable them to earn from their work,Ntale said.

He added that copyright should not only be treated as a legal right but also as an economic asset that creates income, generates jobs and attracts investment.

URSB has continued to strengthen Uganda’s copyright administration framework through legal reforms, including amendments to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, which aim to improve protection for creators and support organisations responsible for managing their rights.

In April 2025, URSB established a dedicated Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Department to provide specialised services to the creative industry.

The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Act, 2026, also introduces reforms addressing copyright protection in the digital environment, orphan works, collective management organisations and administrative mechanisms for resolving copyright complaints.

Representing Uganda’s creative sector, Senior Presidential Adviser on Creatives Edrisa Musuuza, popularly known as Eddie Kenzo’s maanger, Muhumuza Martin Beta, called for stronger protection of artists’ work and fair compensation.

He said Ugandan artists have the talent to reach international audiences but need systems that protect their work and enable them to earn sustainable incomes.

According to Muhumuza, increased awareness of copyright and respect for intellectual property rights are essential to ensuring that creativity becomes a reliable source of livelihood.

The symposium will also address practical issues, including licensing, royalty administration, copyright enforcement, digital piracy and cooperation between countries.

It will build on regional efforts to strengthen copyright cooperation, including the Kampala Protocol on the Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights, adopted at a diplomatic conference hosted by Uganda in August 2021.

URSB has called on artists, businesses, digital platforms, policymakers and the media to support efforts to increase copyright awareness and respect for intellectual property rights.The meeting is also part of activities leading to ARIPO’s 50th anniversary celebrations in December 2026.