Ugandan Musician Demands Shs500 Million from KFC for Alleged Unauthorized Song Use
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Musician Kalifah Aganaga is demanding Shs500 million from KFC Uganda for allegedly using his song "Nassanga Remix" in a TikTok video without permission.
- His lawyers claim the unauthorized use constitutes copyright infringement under Ugandan law.
- KFC Uganda has seven days to comply with demands, including removing the video and paying compensation, or face legal action.
Musician Sadati Mukiibi, known as Kalifah Aganaga, is seeking Shs500 million from KFC Uganda, alleging the company used his song "Nassanga Remix" in a promotional TikTok video without authorization. The demand comes via a notice from Elgon Advocates, dated August 7, 2026, and addressed to KFC Uganda's managing director.
It has come to our client's attention that you have used the aforementioned musical work as background audio in a promotional/commercial video published on your official TikTok page.
Aganaga's legal team asserts that KFC Uganda used the song as background audio in a commercial video posted on the company's official TikTok account. The lawyers state that neither a synchronization license, a performance license, nor any prior written consent was obtained from Aganaga or his representatives. They argue this constitutes copyright infringement under Uganda's Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act.
Your unauthorised reproduction and communication of the song to the public for commercial gain constitutes a direct infringement.
The demand notice specifies that the Shs500 million compensation covers alleged loss of licensing revenue and brand dilution. Additionally, the musicians' lawyers are demanding Shs50 million for legal costs, bringing the total claim to Shs550 million. KFC Uganda has been given seven days to remove the video from TikTok and other platforms, cease future unauthorized use of Aganaga's music, and provide a written admission of liability.
Our client is aggrieved by this blatant commercial exploitation of his creative labor.
Elgon Advocates warned that failure to meet these demands within the specified timeframe would result in legal proceedings. These proceedings would seek an injunction, damages, and costs. The lawyers also highlighted the infringement of Aganaga's neighboring rights as a performer and producer of the sound recording.
Should you fail, refuse, or neglect to comply, we have firm instructions to institute legal proceedings against you for an injunction, damages, and costs.
Originally published by AllAfrica Uganda in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.