Uganda Musicians Association to defend Serena Bata in contract dispute

The dispute stems from the termination of Bata’s management contract by Musinguzi in November last year, with the promoter now demanding that the singer compensates him for “illegally performing” eight songs registered to him.

According to a letter dated 18 April, Musinguzi, through his lawyers Lukwago and Co. Advocates, says he signed Bata and paid for the recording and promotion of the songs. He is now demanding that the singer pays him 100 million Ugandan shillings ($27 000) earned from the performances of the songs, and Ush300m for breach of contract.

The letter says Musinguzi registered the songs with the Uganda Registration Service Bureau and are therefore copyrighted to him.

The songs are ‘Bikalubye’ with Chris Evans, ‘Single and It’s Okay’, ‘Rukundo’ ft. Ray G, ‘Ewange’ ft. Geosteady, ‘Ebisenge’ ft. Peace Lalisa, ‘Gwantama’ ft. Nina Rose, ‘Ofunye’ ft. Yaled, and ‘Omulala’.

The letter adds that in case the singer is unable to pay the Ush400m, she can buy the exclusive rights to the songs for Ush350m payable within seven days of receipt of the notice, failure to which legal proceedings would be instituted against her.

Musinguzi has also asked Ugandan media houses to stop playing the songs until the matter is resolved. 

But in a rejoinder, UMA said it would work in partnership with the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) and the Pan African Network for Artistic Freedom (PANAF) to ensure that the rights and integrity of Bata are upheld.

“UMA, in collaboration with her partners, has keenly studied the circumstances of the dispute between Musinguzi and Serena Bata, and has established that it’s the rights and interests of the artist that have been and are at threat since the beginning of the said contract and the demand notice for fees for performances, losses, damages, and expenses related to the alleged breach,” UMA chairperson Geoffrey Ekongot said.

UMA secretary Phina Mugerwa added: “UMA is dedicated to defending the rights and freedoms of our members. We will work tirelessly alongside our partners at [the] FHRI through PANAF to seek a fair resolution in the best interest of Serena Bata and the wider artistic community.”

UMA encouraged all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards an amicable solution. 

“While the association respects the importance of contracts and agreements, it also believes in the value of creative expression and the need for artists to have the freedom to showcase their talents,” Mugerwa said.

In November 2022, Musinguzi fired Bata for alleged contract breach. According to media reports, Bata was filmed publicly smoking shisha, which contravened her agreement with Musinguzi’s management company.

In early January, Musinguzi was charged with negligence for the deaths of 10 people who lost their lives during a stampede at a New Year’s Eve concert in the capital Kampala. The matter has been adjourned to 4 May, according to local publication New Vision. In 2019, Musinguzi and another events promoter, Andy Mukasa, were arrested for selling T-shirts whose proceeds they said would go towards seeking the release of citizens imprisoned over minor offences.