The KCCA Hall Court has granted an application filed by musician Moses Ssali, popularly known as Bebe Cool, allowing police to examine comedian Alex Muhangi’s YouTube channels over allegations of copyright infringement.
Senior principal grade one magistrate Nicholas Aisu delivered the ruling on Thursday as part of an ongoing case in which Bebe Cool accuses Muhangi of unlawfully using his content in at least 15 YouTube videos, some of which were also aired on NTV, a local television station.
Bebe Cool lodged the complaint earlier this year, claiming that Muhangi violated his neighbouring rights under Uganda’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, Cap. 222. The alleged infringements span from December 2017 to December 2024.
The investigations are being conducted by detective assistant inspector of police Ricky Wasswa Baliruno. Through state attorney Mercy Yamangusho, Bebe Cool requested court approval for police to access and analyse the YouTube links to aid the investigation.
Muhangi opposed the application, raising preliminary legal objections and accusing Bebe Cool of “greed and confusion.” He argued that Bebe had already been compensated for the content and should not contest its use on the channels.
However, magistrate Aisu dismissed Muhangi’s objections, calling them technicalities aimed at obstructing justice. He found that the application was properly filed and backed by competent evidence.
