By: Charles Masano

Picture this: cherished local series like Sanyu, Crossroads, and Beloved suddenly disappearing from your screens, or missing out on exhilarating sports events like the FIFA World Cup or the Euros. This isn’t just a distant nightmare; it’s a possible future if we don’t take a stand against content piracy, an escalating threat to even Uganda’s creative industries.

Content piracy might seem like a harmless shortcut, like streaming a show from an unofficial site, but it has devastating consequences for Africa’s entertainment sector. Piracy is when someone illegally copies, sells or redistributes content. Many people who engage in piracy don’t realize the severe impact their actions have on the industry.

When piracy thrives, producers earn less, leaving them with fewer resources to invest in new projects, cutting-edge technology, and fresh talent. This financial strain discourages investors, who lose confidence in the local creative sector due to inadequate protection of their investment. Consequently, the quality and diversity of content suffer.

As piracy persists, locally produced content starts to disappear, replaced by generic, mainstream material that fails to reflect our unique culture and stories. This decline results in fewer opportunities for local content creators, stifling their creativity and reducing their income. Additionally, the ripple effect extends to local economies, with diminished investment and job losses impacting livelihoods.

If you’re uncertain about the legitimacy of the content you’re consuming, consider the broader implications of your choices. Supporting pirated content might seem inconsequential, but it undermines the entire entertainment industry, affecting everyone from large studios to individual creators.

By opting for legal content, you play a crucial role in sustaining the local movies, shows, and music you love. Your support helps safeguard Uganda’s creative industry, ensuring that it continues to thrive and produce high-quality, culturally relevant content.

The writer is the Anti-Piracy Manager, Piracy & Risk Management at MultiChoice Uganda.