Extended TV Uganda's video: Abawandiisi Be nyimba Bawanda Muliro Ku Mateeka Ga UCC

Song Writer John kay speaks about It is evident from the past actions that Uganda is undermining the role of creative arts in national development. This is apparent in the current regulations: (1) The Stage Play and Public Entertainment Rules 2019; (2) The Uganda Communications (Film, Documentaries and Commercial Still Photography) Regulations 2019; These regulations, with several others are drawn from the Stage Plays and Public Entertainment Act cap.49 and the Uganda Communications Act ,2013 respectively. Since there is no mandatory requirement for consulting the stakeholders , a bunch of them were laid on the floor of parliament on the 28th May 2020 and now have the force of law. Generally speaking, the Stage Plays and Public Entertainment Act should have no place in civilized society and should be have been repealed after the enactment of the 1995 Constitution. However, these are the salient problematic features of the Stage Plays and Public Entertainment Rules 2019 and some of the regulations drawn from the Uganda Communications Act: The Stage Play and Public Entertainment Rules 2019 These rules affect musicians, actors, comedians, authors, promoters, venue owners (including hotels, parks, bars, gardens, beaches, etc.), DJs and VJs, Record labels, broadcasters… Under these rules, one must have a permit to stage a play, a concert or any form of public entertainment.Failure to have a permit is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for six months or both. UCC has wide powers to charge fees for the permits; regulate the content of what is to be performed and on top of the fees for the permits, the applicant has to pay extra money to facilitate the attendance of a UCC officer. Moreover, the UCC inspector has the power to withdraw the permit even when the concert or play is on-going. Denying a UCC officer entry can lead to imprisonment for a year. The requirements when applying for a permit may include a certificate of censorship issued by the media council. There is also a compulsory requirement for an english translation of every work. A person cannot advertise a play or concert using any means without authorization from UCC and UCC will not grant authorization if one has not been cleared by a local government entity, e.g. KCCA in Kampala. The Uganda Communications (Film, Documentaries and Commercial Still Photography) Regulations 2019 These regulations affect video production companies big and small, photographers and photo studios, audio-visual Content producers, broadcasters, producers, musicians, actors, comedians, authors, promoters, venue owners, DJs and VJs, Record labels, bloggers, advertising agencies, etc. Under these regulations a person needs a licence to produce a film, motion picture, documentary, commercial still photography and any other content or to engage in the business of film production. Another licence is required to broadcast the same on TV, internet or any other channel. A person while applying for the licence will be required to describe all the scenes of the film or documentary, attach a detailed budget showing how much is to be paid to the actors, technicians and other professionals and also attach proof of his/her financial capacity. UCC may also require a bank guarantee or bond. UCC has powers to monitor the content and confiscate the equipment at their discretion. UCC has power to restrict production of certain content in public interest or content that has no education purpose. A person cannot advertise without authorization from UCC. A permit is also required to have a film, documentary or commercial photography shown in a cinematograph theatre. Penalties for the offences under these regulations include imprisonment for one year. Analysis: The above regulations are ultra vires, illegal and unconstitutional. They violate the rights of members of the creative industry to earn from their professions as enshrined in Article 40 (2) of the Constitution and they are beyond what is acceptable, and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society. Recommendations: 1. Engage stakeholders to have the draconian regulations repealed 2. Petition Parliament to recall the regulations and have them repealed 3. Make online public petitions to the President and Speaker of Parliament to repeal the regulations 4. Have the regulations challenged in courts of law 5. Call upon the citizens to rally behind the creative industry fraternity and advocate for proper, inclusive and empowering regulation of the sector for its greater development and the common good. 6. Amend the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006 to create a specialized copyright administrative body. PETITION SUMMARY: The Creative industry is under attack by use of restrictive and unconstitutional laws, which for the benefit of the stakeholders and the general public need to be repealed. ACTION: Sign this petition to have the president and speaker of parliament repeal the bad regulations.