The minister of ICT and National Guidance, Judith Nabakooba has suspended the rules and regulations which had been enacted to regulate the entertainment industry. This took place after a Wednesday meeting that was attended by the representatives from UCC, the implementing agency and those from the creative industry.
Fun Factory director, Bugingo Hannington shared the news yesterday after the meeting, he went ahead to state how their next target is now to embark on formulating solutions that will promote the creatives sector rather than those killing the industry. According to the Minister Nabakooba, the suspension paves way for further consultations.
When the aforementioned rules were introduced recently,different artists and stakeholders in the Industry protested the new regulatory proposals.The proposals required singers, poets, comedians to submit their works and scripts for review and approval by government agencies before they can be released to the public.
According to government, the rules and regulations are aimed at streamlining and promoting sanity in the art and entertainment industry. Here are the rules and regulations that were being proposed:
1. A committee may be forced to ask a musician or a video/film producer a ransom before recording the video so that she/he does not break the laws and guidelines the committee has given them to follow while recording the video
2. A special committee has been formed to analyze any play or a song or a film Before premiering it or recording it from the studio the committee must first go through it and if any changes do happen, still the committee must be informed.
3. A play or song be it a film written in local languages before going to the committee to get permission one must first rewrite or translate them in English.
4. Video/film producers, photographers who take photos of artists before doing any business with artists, they must first seek permission from the committee.
5. A musician before recording any video of the approved song has to first seek permission from the committee and also must inform the committee of the venue he/she is going to record from and even must include in all materials to be used in the video.
6. It will be a crime for any artist to perform in any show or in the public without a license from the ministry of ICT.
7. An actor or a musician to carry out any show or to perform in any show must first seek permission from the committee which will be formed by both UCC and Ministry of ICT, the committee will decide the amount one will pay to be given that permission.
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.
The suspension of these rules and regulations has brought a lot of joy to many people in the sector.
