Musicians across the country are jubilant after the Ugandan Parliament passed the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill.
On March 17 2026, a section of creatives, including Jose Chameleone, Sheebah, Big Trill, Ragga Dee, Fik Fameica, Eddy Kenzo, Levixone, Pia Pounds, Pallaso, and Lilian Mbabazi, among many others, flocked to the parliamentary grounds to take part in the discussion on the proposed law.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Anita Among announced that the bill was finally passed and urged artists who were attacking her on social media to stop and celebrate their win.
“I want to thank the stakeholders for being here and following the law. I want to tell our good friends that there was no malicious intent behind the delay in the bill. It has now passed. Will you continue making noise out there? You can now make noise that the bill has passed, and we are not ignorant,” he said.
After the session ended, musicians were seen outside, jubilating and singing victory songs celebrating the win, which will ensure that they earn fairly from their craft.
The law will also fight piracy, and broadcasting stations (radio and TV) will be required to pay musicians whenever their music is played, helping the industry regain its lost art and create a better future for Ugandan entertainers.
For the past few days, musicians have been on social media expressing concern about the bill’s delayed passage and reacting to critics who argued that it would be unfair and a burden if they were required to pay musicians whenever their songs are played in bars, entertainment centers, and media houses.
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Sheebah Karungi, however, revealed that it was unfair for them to work tirelessly without being rewarded for their art. She thanked all the musicians who had laboured and fought, saying they had finally won.
For the first time, we shall put our fruits of labor on the market and have a price tag for them. We were laboring in vain. At this time, those who laughed and trolled our fight, I’m happy on their behalf because we have won for them too. This win is not only for the federation, but for every artist. We don’t care if they credit us or not as long as musicians are earning from their art. Whether you think we are foolish or not, we don’t care as long as we have achieved something, Sheebah said.
