Kampala — Local  Gospel musicians have launched the Gospel Music Copyright to fight Gospel music piracy. The initiative was spearheaded by Source International (SA), a musical company of artistes united to fight for their intellectual property rights, and the Provost of All Saints Cathedral Nakasero, the Rev. Canon Stephen Tirwomwe.

The ceremony was held at Theatre La Bonita on September 2. Clever Nicholas Kikwaya, the company's director, said local Gospel artistes have been losing a lot. "Despite their popularity, they are poor, with hardly any money in their pockets. We cannot afford to allow pirates to exploit our artistes, freely, anymore," Kikwaya said.

He said they were working with law enforcement institutions like the Police to ensure that the pirates are brought to book. He said they would open up a Gospel music library, where Gospel music would be sold. Tirwomwe thanked the artistes for preaching the Gospel through songs. Kikwaya asked Christians to come out and use their musical abilities to transform people's lives. He asked all Ugandans to fight music pirates. He further asked Christians to boycott duplicated music, which he said was the starting point for the battle against piracy.

He also asked the legislators to strengthen and enforce copyright laws, so that artistes get their due out of their music. The function attracted renown Gospel artistes like Africa Kirwana, Wilson Bugembe, Betty Namaganda, Gladys Kiyingi, Wasswa Kiyingi, Marble Komukama, Martin Seku, Baby Gloria and Florence Rukundo.

The President of Baptist Union of Uganda, the Rev. Michael Okwakol and Pastor Dr. Abed Bwanika also attended.