Renowned Ugandan musician Big Eye Starboss has voiced his concerns regarding the newly approved copyright management system, asserting that it does little to resolve the longstanding issues faced by creatives in the country. According to him, without an amendment to the copyright law by the Ugandan Parliament, the system remains ineffective and fails to serve the interests of artists and content creators.
Big Eye’s Take on the Copyright Management System
While appearing on Spark TV, Big Eye shared his skepticism about the recent development, which was sanctioned for enforcement by President Yoweri Museveni last week. The singer criticized the system, arguing that it lacks legal backing and does not provide meaningful solutions for artists struggling with copyright infringements and revenue losses.
“In my opinion, the copyright management system is useless if the copyright law has not been amended and passed by Parliament. Without the necessary legal framework, what exactly will this system be managing?” he questioned.
A Money-Making Scheme for Authorities?
Big Eye further expressed his belief that the newly introduced system is designed primarily to create additional avenues for collecting revenue from creatives and media houses rather than genuinely protecting artists’ intellectual property.
“The way I see it, this initiative is just another means to extract money from creatives and media stations. Instead of empowering artists, it places more financial burdens on them,” he stated.
His concerns reflect a broader frustration within Uganda’s entertainment industry, where musicians and content creators have long decried a lack of tangible support from regulatory bodies. Many artists have called for clear policies that ensure fair compensation and protection against copyright violations.
Tracking Music Airplay: An Already Existing System?
One of the major components of the new copyright management system is the introduction of trackers designed to monitor the number of times a song is played in bars, clubs, and other entertainment venues. However, Big Eye argues that this is not a novel concept, as similar technology already exists in the form of the Song Boost App, which several artists currently use to track their music airplay.
“They are talking about trackers, but it’s not that different from the Song Boost App. Artists already have tools to monitor their airplay, so this so-called new development is not really helping us in any way,” he explained.
A Call for Legal Reforms
For Big Eye, the priority should be on amending the copyright law through Parliament rather than enforcing a system that lacks a solid legal foundation. Without proper legislation, he warns, Ugandan artists will continue to be exploited, and the new management system will only serve as a smokescreen for authorities to impose more financial levies on creatives and media outlets.
“Creatives have not been helped because the copyright law is supposed to be amended by Parliament. Until that happens, all these so-called improvements mean nothing,” he emphasized.
Industry Reactions and the Way Forward
Big Eye’s statements have sparked mixed reactions within the music industry, with some artists echoing his concerns while others remain optimistic about the new system’s potential benefits. Advocates for copyright reform argue that Uganda needs a well-structured framework that protects artists’ intellectual property rights and ensures they receive fair compensation for their work.
As the debate continues, industry stakeholders await further clarity on whether the Ugandan government will take the necessary steps to amend copyright laws to truly benefit creatives. Meanwhile, artists like Big Eye remain vocal in demanding transparency and tangible reforms that prioritize their interests over bureaucratic revenue collection.
What’s your take on the new copyright management system? Share your thoughts in the comments!
