Uganda anthem composer gets sh50m reward
THE Kampala High Court on Friday awarded Prof. George Kakoma sh50m as compensation for composing the national anthem.
By Andante Okanya
THE Kampala High Court on Friday awarded Prof. George Kakoma sh50m as compensation for composing the national anthem.
In 1962, Kakoma entered and won a competition for composing the anthem. He was given sh2,000 as a mark of appreciation but claimed that two years later, the Government asked him to surrender his copyright.
In 2008, Kakoma sued the Government for recovery of damages, compensation and royalties for infringement of copyright at £1.5m (about sh5.2b).
He also wanted court to issue a permanent injunction restraining further infringement and costs of the suit.
But while passing his judgement, Justice Yorokamu Bamwine rejected Kakoma’s demands, saying the £1.5m was “astronomical and extortionistâ€.
Bamwine also ordered that on payment, Kakoma effectively “signs off the residue of his interest in the copyrightâ€, which will make the anthem an exclusive property of the state.
He added that the award would attract interest at a rate of 25% per year from the date of judgement till payment in full. He also awarded the taxed costs of the suit to Kakoma.
According to court documents, in a January 13, 2007 letter, Kakoma suggested to the President a down payment of sh40m or a house in Kampala, so that he could sign off his interest in the copyright.
Bamwine said if the parties were dissatisfied with the ruling, they could appeal within 30 days after the court vacation, which ends on August 15.
THE Kampala High Court on Friday awarded Prof. George Kakoma sh50m as compensation for composing the national anthem.
In 1962, Kakoma entered and won a competition for composing the anthem. He was given sh2,000 as a mark of appreciation but claimed that two years later, the Government asked him to surrender his copyright.
In 2008, Kakoma sued the Government for recovery of damages, compensation and royalties for infringement of copyright at £1.5m (about sh5.2b).
He also wanted court to issue a permanent injunction restraining further infringement and costs of the suit.
But while passing his judgement, Justice Yorokamu Bamwine rejected Kakoma’s demands, saying the £1.5m was “astronomical and extortionistâ€.
Bamwine also ordered that on payment, Kakoma effectively “signs off the residue of his interest in the copyrightâ€, which will make the anthem an exclusive property of the state.
He added that the award would attract interest at a rate of 25% per year from the date of judgement till payment in full. He also awarded the taxed costs of the suit to Kakoma.
According to court documents, in a January 13, 2007 letter, Kakoma suggested to the President a down payment of sh40m or a house in Kampala, so that he could sign off his interest in the copyright.
Bamwine said if the parties were dissatisfied with the ruling, they could appeal within 30 days after the court vacation, which ends on August 15.