Rwanda: Authors Training on Authors' Rights and Collective Management

Summary
The first training session on copyright for Rwandan artists and creators was held in Kigali on 25-28 January
20160130 Rwanda Training

Rwandan authors, creators and musicians gathered on 25-28 January for four days of meetings and workshops in Kigali, Rwanda. It was the first time that such a training week called "Author to Author" for Rwandan composers and song writers was organised in Rwanda by Rwandan Society of Authors (RSAU) in collaboration with Pan-African Composer’s and Songwriters’ Alliance (PACSA), and in partnership with International Council of Music Authors (CIAM) and CISAC.

On Day 1, in RSAU office, the Rwandan authors' society reported on its activities and progress since it was founded five years ago. RSAU was born in 2010, following the adoption of a new copyright law in 2009 in this East African country. Today, RSAU counts around 300 members, including music creators, authors, composers and performers. RSAU plans to start collecting royalties on behalf of its members in 2016, with a view to distribute these royalties to its members in 2017.  The society has identified the need for training on collective management of rights and for better software in order to improve its operations. These issues were discussed during a session attended by :

- RSAU representatives: Epa Binamungu (Chairman), Gloriose Uzayisenga (CEO)

- PACSA representatives : Sam Mbende (President), Chimwemwe Mhango (President of the Musician Union of Malawi (MUM), member of the Executive Committee of COSOMA, the authors' society of Malawi, and treasurer of PACSA) and Sonia Mutesi-Hakuziyaremye (coordinator).

On Day 2, attendees met with Rwandan governmental authorities, including Hon. Julienne Uwacu, Minister of Culture and Sport, and Blaise Ruhima, Head of the Intellectual Property department of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). The minister said that her government is fully aware of the strong potential of creative industries for Rwanda's economic development. This sector is a priority on the development agenda, she said, assuring the artists of her support. Blaise Ruhima presented the Rwanda Development Board and reported on progress made in the Intellectual Property field since PACSA last visited Rwanda in December 2014. The RDB is currently working with a consultancy firm toward establishing a fee structure for royalties payments.

On Day 3, a workshop was organised at the Lemigo Hotel, in Kigali, for some 60 authors and artists from various artistic fields (music, literature, audiovisual and visual arts). Sam Mbenbe, PACSA's President, composer and CIAM President Lorenzo Ferrero, and Chimwemwe Mhango (MUM, COSOMA) outlined the core principles of royalty distribution. 

The trainees explored the business situation in Malawi where collective management organisation COSOMA was able to improve its collections thanks to MUM, a strong musicians union. The workshop also highlighted the need for music creators to get some sound advice on how to manage their revenues. In 2015, COSOMA supported the creation of a bank, Aluso Sacaco (Savings and Credit Cooperation Organization).  The situation in Malawi evidenced how important it is for creators to be united and to act with solidarity.  Through exercises, business cases and discussions, the workshop enabled artists to better understand a wide variety of issues, such as which rights they can claim, what is a co-author, and how does the distribution of royalties work, among others.

Day 4 was an opportunity to discuss future trends in music in general, and music in Africa and in Rwanda specifically, with famous Rwandan artists Abdallah Makanyaga and Cécile Kayirebwa (the 'diva' of traditional Rwandan music) and a new generation of music creators:  Gaël Faye, Dany Vumbi, Mani Martin, Shanel Nirere, Liza Kamikazi, Eric Soul Karengera, Peter Nshuti, Dieudonné Munyanshoza and Clément Iradukunda.

Lorenzo Ferrero presented the latest activity of CIAM, emphasizing the need for artists and creators to speak with one voice. CIAM and PACSA aim to develop a core group of creators and artists in Rwanda who are well versed in intellectual property issues, and whom RSAU can rely on.

According to PACSA coordinator Sonia Mutesi–Hakuziyaremye, this 4-day training session was instrumental in helping creators in Rwanda better understand issues related to copyright/authors' rights, raising awareness about the need for collective action.

Read authors' testimonials

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PACSA President Sam Mbende (centre) with the new generation of Rwandan artists.

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Left to Right: Rev. Chimwemwe Mhango (Treasurer and President of MUM - Music Union of Malawi), Gloriose Uzayisenga, CEO of RSAU, Samuel Mbende (President), Rwandan Minister of Culture and Sport, Hon. Julienne Uwacu, Lorenzo Ferrero, (President of CIAM) Epa Binamungu, RSAU President, Sonia Mutesi-Hakuziyaremye (PACSA Coordinator)