Pen Meets Palette: Uganda Law Society Launches Residency Pilot to Protect Creative Talent

KAMPALA — The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has officially kicked off a four-week Artist in Residence pilot, aiming to forge a protective legal bridge for Uganda’s creative sector and reform outdated intellectual property frameworks.

Staged at ULS House in Kololo as part of the Society’s Radical New Bar ULS@70 commemorations, the launch brought together jurists, policymakers, and prominent figures from Kampala’s entertainment and arts ecosystem for dialogue, performances, and recognition [Google Search / Context].

"Talent is Like a Land Title"

Delivering the keynote address, Court of Appeal Justice Oscar Kihika—a jurist, musician, and former ULS president—emphasized that creative work is a tangible economic asset that requires ironclad legal safeguarding.

"Talent is like a land title and should be protected," Justice Kihika noted, urging artists to consult legal counsel before signing any contracts and to avoid agreements they do not fully understand.

Kihika highlighted that Uganda's Copyright Act of 2006 was drafted long “before AI, before TikTok, before technology,” leaving creators exposed in a rapidly digitizing global economy. He called on Parliament to urgently amend the legislation and proposed establishing a dedicated ULS committee on creatives, entertainment, and technology, alongside partnerships with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

Turning Art into Enterprise:

With more than 7,000 lawyers in Uganda, ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe stated that the legal fraternity is ready to actively service and uplift the creative economy.

 "Talent is a job, and there are lawyers who have talent," Asiimwe said, noting the initiative seeks to bridge a long-standing divide.

Former East African Legislative Assembly member Hon. Mbidde Mukasa pointed out that the global creative industry generates roughly USD 1.7 billion, urging local lawyers to help transform Ugandan arts into structured, productive corporate enterprises.

 Legendary artist and lawyer Sylvia Kyagulanyi welcomed the program, describing copyright enforcement as a “quasi-court on its own” and stressing that artificial intelligence now touches nearly every commercial trade.

Meanwhile, Veteran musician Joanita Kawalya and Victor Kamenyo underscored that art is a serious source of livelihood, warning that internal divisions among artists have frequently weakened their collective bargaining power.

Trailblazers Honored:

As part of the launch, the ULS presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to notable figures who have shaped Uganda’s creative and cultural landscape including: Julius Kyazze (Swangz Avenue), Samson Senkaaba, Monica Katoko (Designer to the ULS President), Joanita Kawalya, Sylvia Kyagulanyi, Victor Kamenyo

What the Pilot Entails:

Running for four weeks at ULS House, the pilot program embeds a practicing artist directly within the legal environment. The initiative is designed to foster hands-on cross-pollination between lawyers and creators—focusing on intellectual property rights, formalizing artistic output, and humanizing legal practice for Uganda's creative workforce.