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The URSB letter, signed by Assistant Registrar of Trademarks Okaka Jeremiah Emmanuel, was addressed to Alien Skin’s legal representatives, Mugabi, Shyaka & Co. Advocates
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Kampala, Uganda
Musician Mulwana Patrick, popularly known as Alien Skin, is facing a potential legal setback in his bid to secure full ownership of the “Fangone Forest” brand name after documents from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) revealed that the label, Fangone Forest Entertainment Ltd, was officially registered and trademarked under a different individual — businessman Agumiikiriza Aguma Aaron. According to official correspondence dated 15th October 2025, the URSB confirmed that Agumiikiriza, the director of Fangone Forest Entertainment Ltd, holds the registered trademark No. UG/T/2023/079921 in Class 41, covering entertainment and performance-related services.
The URSB letter, signed by Assistant Registrar of Trademarks Okaka Jeremiah Emmanuel, was addressed to Alien Skin’s legal representatives, Mugabi, Shyaka & Co. Advocates, notifying them that a counterstatement had been filed by Agumiikiriza in defense of his registration of the name “Alien Skin” under Fangone Forest Entertainment Ltd.
“You are therefore required to file evidence in support of your opposition within 42 days… Should you fail to do so within the stipulated time, the Registrar shall consider your opposition abandoned,” the letter reads in part.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute arises from ownership claims over the Fangone Forest brand — a label Alien Skin popularized after his breakthrough into Uganda’s music scene in 2022. The name has since become synonymous with his artistic identity and the group of artists associated with him.
However, according to URSB records, Fangone Forest Entertainment Ltd was formally registered under Agumiikiriza Aguma Aaron, who claims to have been involved in the entertainment and production business since 2011 — nearly a decade before Alien Skin’s rise to fame.
In a sworn affidavit, Agumiikiriza insists that he is the rightful proprietor of the company and its trademark.
“I am a businessman and proprietor of a company in the production, distribution, and commercial publishing business... I have been conducting production work since 2011 and have produced over 200 projects for more than 50 clients,” Agumiikiriza stated. He further added that his company’s “laboured brand” has been misrepresented and “jeopardized in just two years,” prompting him to secure its legal protection.
Alien Skin’s Response
Sources close to Alien Skin’s legal team indicate that the musician has instructed his lawyers to challenge the registration, arguing that the Fangone Forest name and brand were conceived and popularized by him through his musical career — not by the businessman. Alien Skin is reportedly seeking legal avenues to reclaim ownership of the brand, which he says represents his creative identity and fan base. His legal team has 42 days from receipt of the URSB notice to file evidence and grounds for opposition.
What’s at Stake
If Alien Skin fails to submit sufficient evidence or loses the opposition case, he risks losing exclusive rights to the Fangone Forest name, including its commercial use in recordings, merchandise, performances, and promotions — all of which could severely impact his music business. Trademark disputes of this nature have become increasingly common in Uganda’s entertainment industry, where formal registration of artistic or label names often lags behind their public recognition.
Next Steps
The URSB’s Trademarks Division will review both parties’ submissions before making a ruling. The outcome could set a precedent on how intellectual property rights are handled in Uganda’s creative sector — especially when fame precedes formal registration.
Torch Media Africa
