Weasel orders UPRS to remove Goodlyfe catalogue, threatens legal action

Musician Weasel Manizo (Douglas Seguya) has formally instructed the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) to immediately remove the Goodlyfe music catalogue from its royalty management system.

The decision follows UPRS’s recent disbursement of just UGX 285,498 in royalties allegedly generated from the Goodlyfe catalogue over an 18-month period—a figure that left Weasel questioning the society’s royalty collection and distribution process.

In a strongly worded legal notice, Weasel accuses UPRS of gross mismanagement, lack of transparency, and suspected fraud in handling royalties earned from Goodlyfe’s music.

This action is taken due to gross mismanagement, lack of transparency, and suspected fraud in the collection and distribution of royalties relating to our works.

Over a period of 18 months, our catalogue was reported to have earned only UGX 285,498 in royalties. This amount is wholly inconsistent with the extensive broadcast, public performance, and commercial use of our music across Uganda via radio, television, public events, and all other platforms.

This conduct constitutes a fundamental breach of trust and fiduciary duty owed to us as the legal copyright holders.

The singer further questioned how emerging artists are expected to benefit from the royalty system if an established catalogue such as Goodlyfe’s could generate such a small payout.

The legal notice also warns UPRS that failure to immediately cease managing the Goodlyfe catalogue and remove all of its works from the society’s system will prompt legal action.

Failure to cease management of our catalogue and remove our works immediately will result in legal proceedings being instituted against UPRS for copyright infringement, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud—without further notice.

This notice is issued without prejudice to any other legal rights or remedies available to Goodlyfe Magic Limited.