The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has launched a four-week Artist-in-Residence programme aimed at strengthening cooperation between lawyers and artists, with Justice Oscar Kihika calling for stronger legal protection of creative work in the digital age.
Justice Kihika challenged lawyers to become “architects of protection” for artists, saying many creatives lose income because they do not understand contracts, copyright laws and the commercial value of their work.
The programme was launched on Thursday at ULS House in Kololo, Kampala, as part of the Society’s 70th anniversary celebrations under the Radical New Bar (ULS@70) initiative.
The event brought together lawyers, musicians, designers and other players in the creative industry for discussions and performances.
Justice Kihika, a former ULS president, delivered the keynote address and presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to selected creatives.
He urged artists to seek legal advice before entering business arrangements and avoid signing contracts they do not understand.
“Talent is like a land title and should be protected,” he said, arguing that artists should treat their creative abilities as valuable business assets.
Justice Kihika also called for further reforms to Uganda’s copyright laws to address challenges arising from technological changes, including artificial intelligence and social media platforms such as TikTok.
He said the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act needed to keep pace with changes in how creative content is produced, distributed and monetised.
He proposed the formation of a committee representing creatives, entertainment and technology to address challenges affecting the industry.
He also recommended partnerships between ULS, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to improve copyright registration, enforcement and revenue collection.
Justice Kihika said Uganda could use its creative industry to promote the country internationally, citing the late Joseph Oryema, who popularised Ugandan music through songs performed in Luo.
Lawyer and former East African Legislative Assembly MP Mukasa Mbidde said lawyers had a responsibility to educate artists about their legal rights and help them develop sustainable businesses.
“As lawyers, we should evolve the creative industry into a corporate industry,” he said.
ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe said the programme was introduced after the Society recognised the need for legal services among artists and limited interaction between the two professions.
“As lawyers, we saw that the art industry needed legal services and also wanted to bridge the gap between the lawyers and artists,” he said.
Asiimwe said the four-week programme would allow artists to showcase their work while helping lawyers understand challenges facing the creative sector.
Musician and lawyer Silver Kyagulanyi welcomed the initiative, saying it would help lawyers understand emerging business opportunities, particularly those created by artificial intelligence.
He urged artists to involve lawyers in their business dealings and called for better administration of copyright laws.
“When the Copyright Act was written, we were happy but for nothing,” he said.
Musician Joanita Kawalya said the creative industry had evolved into an important source of income, making legal support increasingly necessary.
The Society presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Julius Kyazze of Swangz Avenue, Samson Senkaaba, Monica Katoko, Joanita Kawalya, Silver Kyagulanyi and Victor Kamenyo.
Kyazze encouraged lawyers to embrace the entertainment industry, while Kamenyo blamed divisions among artists for weakening their businesses and called for a more organised music industry.
The residency is intended to promote understanding of intellectual property rights, copyright protection and the business side of creative work.
