Singer Douglas Mayanja, aka Weasel has announced withdrawing the Goodlyfe music catalogue from the Uganda Performing Rights Society over a royalties dispute.
Weasel said in a petition to UPRS he could not contend with the ongoings at the society in regards royalties.
“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,” he said in the letter.
The Goodlyfe crew is known for songs including Lwaki Onumya, Nakudata, Bread and Butter, Pollination, Nakutamani, Zuena, Ngenda, Nyumba, Talk and Talk and Nyambura among others.
The music group has however not been vibrant since the death of one of the two members, Moses Ssekibogo Nakintije, also known as Mowzey Radio in 2018.
On Monday, Weasel announced he had only gotShs285,498 in royalties over an 18-month period which amount he said was inconsistent with the “extensive broadcast and public performance of Radio & Weasel’s songs “on radio stations, television, concerts, entertainment venues and other platforms.
In the petition to the Uganda Performing Rights Society on Tuesday, the singer said the earnings were a “fundamental breach of trust and fiduciary duty” owed to the company as the legal copyright holder of the music catalogue.
To this he directed UPRS to immediately stop licensing, royalty collection, representation and administration of the Goodlyfe music.
“Remove all our works from your databases and public listings forthwith.”
“We demand that you provide a full verified audit report and complete statement of all funds collected on our behalf, and remit all outstanding amounts to us within 14 calendar days of receipt of this letter.”
He asked UPRS to submit all usage reports, licensing agreements, broadcast logs, cue sheets, and all other documentation relating to the Goodlyfe works within 14 calendar days.
Weasel warned that failure by UPRS to stop management of the Goodlyfe catalogue and remove their 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.”
On Monday, UPRS said while Goodlyfe has a large catalogue of songs, not all of them are registered with them and that only a handful of them are responsible for the said royalties.
