The artiste had been summoned to appear before Police today, Friday May 19th, 2022, and make her case on why the Police shouldn't open up investigations against her.
Singer Serena Battamuliza, alias Serena Bata did not show up at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) where she was expected to explain herself in the ongoing legal clash with their former manager and promoter Abby Abby Musinguzi (Abitex).
Phina Mugerwa, the UMA Seceretary General and Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango assured that Serena Bata will show up for the next meeting on Thursday May 25th
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Instead, she sent her lawyers from KTA Advocates and the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI).
The meeting at CPS was also attended by Josephine Mugerwa, also known as Phina Masanyalaze, the Secretary General of the Uganda Musicians Association (where she is a member).
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Patrick Onyago told reporters that Bata has since been called for another meeting next week.
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“We just wanted to hear from her because we have heard from Abitex’s side and we wanted to get her side as well. But she didn’t show up; she just delegated her lawyers. So we have agreed that she comes next week on Thursday, so we can hear from her,” Onyango said.
In April, Abitex through his lawyers of Lukwago and Co Advocates wrote to the Police’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) asking them to open a criminal case against Bata, whom he accused of breach of contract.
He accuses the singer of continuing to perform and benefit from songs produced under his management, which he claims full ownership to.
Bata, through her legal team however, insists that Abitex “fraudulently” acquired the copyright certificate from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
In today’s meeting, one of the lawyers Timothy Kajja from KTA Advocates said his client was unable to attend due to personal reasons, but promised that she will avail herself on Thursday.
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On her part, the UMA SG , Ms Mugerwa cautioned artists in Uganda to always seek legal advice before they enter into any arrangement with a manager or promoter.
“What we have here is a simple misunderstanding, but we would like to ask artists that before you sign any agreement, seek help from your lawyers,” she said.
She also called upon musicians to join music associations like UMA and benefit from legal support and financial support in cases of such misunderstandings.
