Court Grants Police Access to Muhangi’s YouTube Channel in Bebe Cool Suit

Kampala Capital City Authority’s City Hall Court Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu has allowed an application by musician Moses Ssali, popularly known as Bebe Cool, permitting police to examine comedian Alex Muhangi’s YouTube channels over allegations of copyright infringement. 

The court ruling, delivered on Thursday, is part of an ongoing case in which Bebe Cool accuses Muhangi of illegally using his content in fifteen YouTube links, which were reportedly also broadcast on NTV, a local television station. 

According to court records, Bebe Cool filed the complaint earlier this year, alleging that Muhangi infringed on his neighbouring rights under Uganda’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act Cap. 222. 

The alleged violations are said to have occurred between December 2017 and December 2024. The investigations are being led by Detective Assistant Inspector of Police Ricky Wasswa Baliruno. Through State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho, Bebe Cool asked the court to grant police access to the 15 YouTube links, to examine and retrieve information to aid the investigation.

Muhangi opposed the application, raising preliminary legal objections and accusing Bebe Cool of greed and confusion. He argued that Bebe Cool had received payment for the content and should not object to its use on YouTube channels. However, Magistrate Aisu dismissed Muhangi’s objections, stating they were technicalities intended to derail justice. 

He ruled that the application was properly filed and supported by competent evidence, noting that denying the request would hinder the investigation and obstruct justice already underway under reference SD 58/28/02/2025. 

The court granted police authority to access, inspect, retrieve, examine, and analyze content from Muhangi’s YouTube channels, including view counts, comments, and upload dates. Muhangi’s lawyer, Robert Rutaro, had earlier requested an out-of-court settlement, but Bebe Cool declined to participate in mediation talks.