Veteran Ugandan musician Ragga Dee has broken his silence on the ongoing copyright dispute with fellow singer Mikie Wine, revealing that the legal battle over the remake of his classic song is still far from over.
The dispute erupted after Mikie Wine released “Zuena,” a song Ragga Dee alleges closely reproduces his 2004 hit “Nkuguddemu Oyagala Cash” without obtaining the necessary authorization. Through his lawyers, Ragga Dee previously issued a formal notice of intention to sue, accusing Mikie Wine of copyright infringement and demanding UGX 300 million in compensation, arguing that the work had been reproduced without his consent.
Speaking about the matter, Ragga Dee indicated that the case remains alive and that he has not backed away from pursuing the issue. The veteran singer said protecting creative work is important, stressing that artists must respect copyright laws and seek permission before reproducing or commercially exploiting another musician's work.
The disagreement has been fueled by conflicting accounts from both artists. While Ragga Dee insists no permission was granted before the song's release, Mikie Wine has maintained that he sought and received approval from the veteran singer during private discussions before recording and publishing “Zuena.” He has even claimed to possess evidence of those conversations, including voice recordings, to support his position.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate within Uganda's music industry, with many artists and fans calling for greater respect for intellectual property rights. The case has also reignited conversations about the importance of licensing, songwriting ownership, and fair compensation when older musical works are remade or adapted.
As things stand, the dispute has yet to reach a publicly reported final resolution. Unless the two musicians reach an out-of-court settlement, the copyright disagreement could ultimately be decided through legal proceedings, potentially setting an important precedent for Uganda's entertainment industry.