Bebe Cool has issued a legal warning to Comedy Store Uganda proprietor Alex Muhangi over the unauthorized use of his performances for commercial gain.
Through his lawyer, Timothy Sentongo of RSK Associates, Bebe Cool has expressed his intention to sue Muhangi for allegedly broadcasting and distributing his content without consent.
According to a legal notice sent to Muhangi, Bebe Cool accuses him of affixing, distributing, and broadcasting his performances on various media platforms between October 2017 and November 2024.
The letter, which was also copied to the Uganda Registration Service Bureau’s Directorate of Intellectual Property, Uganda Communications Commission, and Uganda Performing Rights Society, states that Muhangi has no legitimate right to use Bebe Cool’s performances for commercial purposes.
It is alleged that Muhangi has been publishing the musician’s performances on his YouTube channel and airing them on NTV Uganda without proper authorization. The letter argues that these actions amount to unjust enrichment, severe economic harm, and infringement of Bebe Cool’s performance rights.
In response, Bebe Cool’s legal team has issued several demands:
- Muhangi must immediately cease broadcasting and distributing the musician’s performances.
- All infringing content must be removed from his media platforms.
- A full account of revenues generated from the unauthorized use of Bebe Cool’s performances must be provided.
- Muhangi must compensate Bebe Cool with UGX 579,698,550 for damages.
The letter gives Muhangi a 14-day ultimatum to comply with these demands. Failure to do so, Sentongo warns, will result in both civil and criminal proceedings.