By Spy Uganda 
Kampala-A fresh push to harmonise intellectual property fees payable by broadcasters has brought together the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Uganda film makers Association and the Uganda Media Council in a stakeholders’ engagement aimed at finding common ground on the proposed copyright tariff structure.
The meeting, chaired by UCC head legal Abudu Salaam Waiswa and head compliance, Meddy Kaggwa, which brought together key players in Uganda’s media and creative industry, focused on how broadcasters can comply with copyright obligations while ensuring that artists, musicians and other creators are fairly compensated for the use of their works.
UPRS defended its proposed tariffs, saying the review process had been subjected to extensive consultations with stakeholders, including broadcasters and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and following the 2019 meeting in Gulu chaired by Gen Salim Saleh, head of operation wealth creation.
According to UPRS officials, the tariff review started in March 2025 and has taken about a year, with the organisation also issuing a public notice to allow wider stakeholder participation.
UPRS said it had deliberately moved away from the blanket approach used under the 2016 and 2021 tariffs, arguing that the new structure takes into consideration the different categories and financial capacities of users.
The organisation cited approximately UGX 300,000 as the lowest proposed annual licence fee, describing it as a fair and considerate charge.
UPRS further argued that broadcasters and creatives should not view each other as competitors but rather as partners in the media value chain.
“You need the content, just as much as the content creators need the broadcasters. It should therefore be a symbiotic relationship where we gain from each other,” said Board Chairman Nkoyoyo.
Radio, TV tariffs explained
UPRS also explained the difference between the proposed tariffs for radio and television broadcasters.
The organisation said radio attracts a higher rate because they use more on air content than television.
The proposed television tariff, according to UPRS, was pegged at 40 percent of the radio tariff, partly to create room for the expected licensing of the video component by UFMI.
UPRS also disclosed that discussions had been held on flexible payment arrangements, including the possibility of broadcasters meeting part of their copyright obligations through agreed in-kind arrangements where they are unable to raise the entire amount in cash.
However, the issue of enforcement emerged as one of the major areas requiring caution.
Irumba warns against tying UPRS fees to broadcasting licences
President of the Independent Online Journalists Association (INDOJA-U) and CEO of TheSpy Uganda and Detective-UG, Andrew Irumba, cautioned UPRS and NAB against pushing for a system where payment of UPRS fees becomes a mandatory condition for obtaining or renewing a broadcasting licence.
Irumba argued that such a move could create unnecessary legal battles, particularly because membership in professional associations is voluntary and not mandatory, arguing not every media owner belongs to an association.
He urged UPRS, NAB and UCC to first emphasise the benefits of compliance and association membership rather than relying heavily on coercive measures, especially during the initial stages of implementing the new copyright regime.
“There’s no law that forces one to belong to any association. It’s voluntary. We have media owners who don’t belong to any associations, but yet here your conditions bind them,” Irumba submitted.
He argued that broadcasters should be encouraged to appreciate the value of copyright compliance rather than being placed in a position where they meet all UCC licensing requirements but are prevented from operating because they have not paid UPRS fees.
“Let’s start by showing them the positives of these associations and the fees so that they appreciate than tying UPRS fees as a licensing requirement.”
Irumba warned that making UPRS payments a licensing condition could inadvertently create conflicts between broadcasters, UCC and UPRS.
“By so doing, you’re arming both UCC and UPRS against your own membership. No one does that unless you have ulterior vested interests on the other side,” he said.
The stakeholders nonetheless agreed on the need for continued engagement to arrive at a tariff framework that protects the interests of creatives without placing an unreasonable burden on broadcasters.
UPRS maintained that Uganda’s new copyright regime comes with significant penalties for non-compliance and that users of protected works are expected to obtain the appropriate licences and pay applicable fees.
The engagement is therefore expected to form part of ongoing efforts to establish a more predictable and mutually acceptable framework between copyright management organisations, broadcasters, regulators and other players in Uganda’s creative economy. 
