Bruno K Wins Landmark Copyright Case: ‘The Court Has Given Me My Freedom Back’
Kampala, Uganda – The Commercial Court of Uganda has ruled in favor of Ugandan musician Bruno K, awarding him UGX 130 million in damages after finding that Black Market Records Entertainment and its affiliates illegally exploited his music and falsely claimed ownership over his content.
In a judgment delivered on April 1, 2025, the court declared that the recording agreement between Bruno K, whose real name is Kiggundu Bruno, and Black Market Records LLC was void. The court found that the entity was legally non-existent at the time the contract was signed. Despite this, the record label continued to profit from Bruno K’s work without his consent.
The Dispute
Bruno K signed a one-year recording contract with Black Market Records LLC, believing it to be a legally recognized entity. However, he later discovered that the company was inactive and lacked the legal standing to conduct business.
Tensions escalated when the record label allegedly removed his songs from YouTube using forged legal documents and false copyright claims. This resulted in financial losses for the artist, as well as damage to his professional reputation.
Speaking about the case in Judicial Sound Exponent Exclusive Interview this morning, Bruno K expressed his gratitude for the court's decision, acknowledging the fear he initially had in challenging the label. He credited his legal team which comprised of Top City lawyers Tumuhaise Ferdinard of Kampala Associated Advocates and Ivan Bwowe for giving him the confidence to take the matter forward, emphasizing that he had sufficient evidence proving the breaches of contract and copyright violations.
“To enforce this rights, you need a serious top lawyer…a lawyer that makes research and understands your case. I am grateful for my lawyers, Mr Tumuhaise Ferdinand and Mr Bwowe for representing me very well. We had solid evidence” he told our reporter.
Court’s Ruling
The court dismissed the defense's objections regarding jurisdiction and found that the defendants had acted unlawfully. The ruling outlined the following key decisions:
A permanent injunction was issued, preventing Black Market Records from further exploiting Bruno K’s music.
The court ordered a full audit of royalties earned from Bruno K’s songs, ensuring he receives what he is rightfully owed.
Bruno K was awarded UGX 100 million in general damages and UGX 30 million in aggravated damages.
Interest on the awarded damages was granted, along with full costs of the suit.
A counterclaim by one of the defendants was partially upheld, resulting in a deduction of UGX 2.785 million from the royalties owed to Bruno K.
Significance of the Judgment
Bruno K used the ruling as an opportunity to urge other Ugandan musicians to stand up for their rights. He acknowledged that many artists suffer due to bad contracts and manipulation by record labels and managers. He advised them to seek legal counsel before signing agreements and to be vigilant in protecting their intellectual property.
“There are so many artists being manipulated by record labels, they gonna step up, speak up, and go to court to gain justice” he told our reporter.
He also commended the role of the Uganda Musicians Federation, where he serves as chairperson, in advocating for artists' rights. According to Bruno K, the Federation has been actively working on implementing copyright laws and supporting musicians who face exploitation.
"Speaking as a leader in the Federation, there are a lot of things the Federation is working on, implementing the copyright law. It’s not just words. The artists should join us in the Federation for assistance in enforcing the rights of the artistes," Bruno K stated.
Faith in the Justice System
When asked about the efficiency of the Ugandan justice system in handling his case, Bruno K expressed satisfaction with how swiftly the matter was resolved. He noted that despite the case running for over a year, the judgment reaffirmed that Ugandan courts could effectively handle copyright disputes.
“I want to the Judge, Hon. Lady Justice Patricia Mutesi who listened to us, expedited the process and ensured a fair trial. I implore everyone to have faith in our courts of judicature. I learnt that our courts work and can deliver justice in a timely manner—but you also have to choose your lawyers wisely” he told our reporter.
He urged artists facing similar challenges to trust the legal system and take action rather than suffer in silence. He also highlighted the importance of having a strong legal team to navigate complex cases, especially those involving international contracts.
Reaction to the Court Award
Bruno K welcomed the UGX 130 million compensation, stating that it would provide him relief from the financial damages caused by the dispute. He described the situation as an attempt to "put a rope around his neck" to end his career but acknowledged that the court ruling had given him the freedom to continue releasing music without interference.
"The court has given me my freedom back," he said, emphasizing that the ruling was not just about the money but about reclaiming his rights as an artist.
Bruno K's victory is expected to encourage other musicians to take legal action against exploitative contracts and copyright infringement. His case serves as a precedent for the protection of intellectual property in Uganda's entertainment industry.
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