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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kampala Capital City Authority’s City Hall Court Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu has allowed an application by musician Moses Ssali, popularly known as Bebe Cool, permitting police to examine comedian Alex Muhangi’s YouTube channels over allegations of copyright infringement.
The court ruling, delivered on Thursday, is part of an ongoing case in which Bebe Cool accuses Muhangi of illegally using his content in fifteen YouTube links, which were reportedly also broadcast on NTV, a local television station. According to court records, Bebe Cool filed the complaint earlier this year, alleging that Muhangi infringed on his neighbouring rights under Uganda’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act Cap. 222.
The alleged violations are said to have occurred between December 2017 and December 2024. The investigations are being led by Detective Assistant Inspector of Police Ricky Wasswa Baliruno. Through State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho, Bebe Cool asked the court to grant police access to the 15 YouTube links, to examine and retrieve information to aid the investigation.
Muhangi opposed the application, raising preliminary legal objections and accusing Bebe Cool of greed and confusion. He argued that Bebe Cool had received payment for the content and should not object to its use on YouTube channels. However, Magistrate Aisu dismissed Muhangi’s objections, stating they were technicalities intended to derail justice. He ruled that the application was properly filed and supported by competent evidence, noting that denying the request would hinder the investigation and obstruct justice already underway under reference SD 58/28/02/2025.
The court granted police authority to access, inspect, retrieve, examine, and analyze content from Muhangi’s YouTube channels, including view counts, comments, and upload dates. Muhangi’s lawyer, Robert Rutaro, had earlier requested an out-of-court settlement, but Bebe Cool declined to participate in mediation talks.
In his ruling, 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.”
Aisu cited section 47(1) of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, which makes infringement a criminal offence punishable by a fine not exceeding 100 currency points (Shs 2 million), imprisonment not exceeding four years, or both. He further referred to sections 44, 46, 48, and 49 of the Act, which cover offences by corporate bodies, penalties, and compensation.
The Magistrate concluded that the law provides both civil and criminal remedies, and his court has the jurisdiction to handle such matters. He allowed the application, ruling that each party should bear its own costs.
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