Weasel Withdraws Radio & Weasel Catalogue from UPRS Over Royalty Dispute
Goodlyfe Magic Limited has withdrawn the entire Radio & Weasel music catalogue from the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), accusing the collective management organization of mismanaging royalty collections and distributions.
In a letter dated July 7, 2026, the company terminated UPRS's authority to license, collect royalties and administer works released under the Radio & Weasel brand, citing allegations of poor transparency, financial mismanagement and suspected fraud.
Goodlyfe Magic Limited claimed it received only Shs285,498 in royalties over an 18-month period despite the duo's music remaining widely played on radio, television, concerts and digital platforms across Uganda. The company described the payment as inconsistent with the commercial success of the catalogue.
As part of the termination, UPRS was instructed to immediately stop licensing or representing the catalogue and remove all Radio & Weasel works from its databases and public listings.
The company also issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding a verified audit of all royalties collected, a complete statement of accounts and payment of any outstanding balances. It further requested copies of licensing agreements, usage reports, broadcast logs and cue sheets relating to the administration of the catalogue.
Goodlyfe Magic warned that failure to comply would result in legal action, including claims for alleged copyright infringement, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
The notice was signed by Douglas Mayanja in his capacity as Director of Goodlyfe Magic Limited. Copies were also sent to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, the Uganda National Cultural Centre and the company's legal representatives.
As of publication, UPRS had not publicly responded to the allegations.
Radio & Weasel, made up of Moses Ssekibogo and Douglas Mayanja, were among Uganda's most influential music duos. Their blend of Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae and R&B produced chart-topping hits including Nakudata, Bread and Butter, Ability and Magnetic, cementing their place in East African music history.
Although Radio died in 2018, the duo's catalogue remains one of Uganda's most valuable musical legacies, continuing to attract listeners across the region and making the outcome of the royalty dispute significant for Uganda's creative industry.