The High Court of Uganda has ruled that Afroludo Limited is the rightful owner of the Nyege Nyege Festival brand.
This landmark decision follows a heated legal battle over the festival’s ownership, which has been a point of contention in recent years. The ruling slammed the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) for its mishandling of the case, labeling its actions unlawful and irrational.
The court found that URSB wrongfully rejected Afroludo’s trademark application while permitting a rival business name to be registered in bad faith. As a result, the court has ordered URSB to deregister the competing business name and officially recognize Afroludo Limited as the sole trademark owner of Nyege Nyege Festival.
This verdict ensures the festival remains in the hands of its original organizers, preserving its brand integrity. Nyege Nyege, one of Africa’s most iconic music and arts festivals, has attracted international audiences over the years. With this ruling, Afroludo can now reclaim full control and move forward without legal uncertainty.
This decision marks a major win for intellectual property rights in Uganda, reinforcing the importance of fair business practices. Stakeholders and festival-goers can now expect a more structured and legally secure Nyege Nyege Festival moving forward.
