Raga Dee Threatens Legal Action Against Mikie Wine Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

KAMPALA — Veteran Ugandan musician Dan Kazibwe, popularly known as Raga Dee, has threatened to sue fellow artist Michael Mukwaya alias Mikie Wine over allegations of copyright infringement relating to the 2004 hit song “Nkugguddemu Oyagala Cash.”

In a formal notice dated July 16, 2025, issued through MDG Law Advocates, Raga Dee accuses Mikie Wine of unlawfully reproducing and performing a remix of the song under a new title with minor lyrical changes — specifically the addition of the word “Zuena” — while retaining the original message and structure.

“Our client published and secured a copyright for his song ‘Nkugguddemu Oyagala Cash’ in 2004, and has exclusively performed it for 21 years,” the legal notice reads in part. “You recently reproduced the same song, save for just adding ‘ZUENA’, but the lyrics and message are the same as our client’s song.”

According to the notice, Mikie Wine is alleged to have performed and distributed the remix on social media platforms and YouTube without seeking Raga Dee’s consent, an act the lawyers argue contravenes the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act (Cap 222) of the Laws of Uganda.

The law firm, representing Raga Dee, demands compensation of Shs 300 million within seven days from the date of the notice, failing which legal proceedings will be instituted “to your embarrassment, chagrin, costs notwithstanding.”

The letter emphasizes that no further warning will be issued and accuses Mikie Wine of violating Raga Dee’s proprietary rights.

Mikie Wine had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.

This legal dispute marks one of the latest copyright battles in Uganda’s creative industry, underscoring rising tensions around intellectual property protection as digital distribution grows.

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