Radio & Weasel's music catalogue withdrawn from UPRS over royalty dispute

Goodlyfe Magic Limited, the company managing the music catalogue of the popular Ugandan duo Radio & Weasel, has terminated the Uganda Performing Rights Society's (UPRS) mandate to license, collect, and administer royalties for their music. The decision, communicated in a letter dated July 7, 2026, cites "gross mismanagement, lack of transparency, and suspected fraud" within UPRS as the primary reasons for the withdrawal.

The company asserts that over an 18-month period, it received a mere Shs285,498 in royalties, a sum it deems inconsistent with the extensive commercial use of Radio & Weasel's music. The duo's songs reportedly enjoy widespread airplay on radio and television, are frequently performed at concerts, and are utilized on various commercial platforms across Uganda.

Goodlyfe Magic Limited argues that the meager payments represent a breach of trust and fiduciary obligations owed to them as the legal copyright holders. They have directed UPRS to immediately cease all activities related to the Radio & Weasel catalogue and remove it from their databases. Furthermore, the company has given UPRS a 14-day ultimatum to provide a verified audit report of all collected royalties, a comprehensive statement of accounts, and remit any outstanding payments.

Failure to comply with these demands will result in legal action, including potential court proceedings for alleged copyright infringement, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud. The letter, signed by Douglas Mayanja, also known as Weasel, in his capacity as Director of Goodlyfe Magic Limited, was copied to relevant Ugandan regulatory bodies, including the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and the Uganda National Cultural Centre.

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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.