KAMPALA, UGANDA — The KCCA Hall Court has granted an application filed by musician Moses Ssali, widely known as Bebe Cool, authorizing police to conduct an examination of comedian Alex Muhangi’s YouTube channels in relation to allegations of copyright infringement.
Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu delivered the ruling on Thursday, marking a development in the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by Bebe Cool. The musician alleges that Muhangi unlawfully utilized his copyrighted content in at least 15 videos published on YouTube, some of which were also broadcast on NTV, a local television station.
Bebe Cool lodged the complaint earlier this year, asserting that Muhangi’s actions constitute a violation of his neighboring rights as protected under Uganda’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, Cap. 222. The alleged infringements are stated to have occurred between December 2017 and December 2024.
The investigation is being led by Detective Assistant Inspector of Police Ricky Wasswa Baliruno. Represented by State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho, Bebe Cool sought judicial approval to allow police access to and analysis of the specified YouTube links to support their investigative efforts.
Muhangi opposed the application, raising preliminary legal objections and accusing Bebe Cool of “greed and confusion.” He contended that Bebe Cool had already received compensation for the content in question and should therefore not contest its use on his (Muhangi’s) channels.
However, Magistrate Aisu dismissed Muhangi’s objections, characterizing them as technicalities intended to obstruct the course of justice. He determined that the application was properly submitted and supported by sufficient evidence. He emphasized that denying the request would impede the ongoing investigations referenced under SD 58/28/02/2025.
Consequently, the court granted police permission to access, inspect, retrieve, examine, and analyze the content from Muhangi’s YouTube channels, including data on view counts, comments, and upload dates.
Earlier in the proceedings, Muhangi’s legal counsel, Robert Rutaro, had proposed an out-of-court settlement, but Bebe Cool declined to engage in mediation.
In his ruling, Magistrate Aisu stated, “The respondent calls it greed, ignorance, and confusion for Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool to take or ‘eat’ their money and then refuse them to use his content on their YouTube channels. Clearly, going by the above, I agree that there is need to allow this application for the benefit of both parties and in the best interest of justice.”
Magistrate Aisu referenced Section 47(1) of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, which designates infringement as a criminal offense punishable by a fine not exceeding 100 currency points (Shs 2 million), imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years, or both.
He also cited Sections 44, 46, 48, and 49 of the Act, which outline offenses committed by corporate bodies, applicable penalties, and compensatory provisions.
Concluding that the legal framework provides for both civil and criminal remedies, Magistrate Aisu affirmed the court’s jurisdiction in the matter and granted the application. He further ruled that each party would bear their own legal costs.
