Ugandan entertainment powerhouse Swangz Avenue has threatened to sue MC Kats, Dubai-based promoter Zack Maya, and Vibes Promotions for allegedly using its “Roast and Rhyme” brand without permission.
According to reports, Zack Maya, through Vibes Promotions, is organizing a Winter Festival in Dubai this November that allegedly features the Roast and Rhyme name, logo, and theme — all of which belong to Swangz Avenue.
The event flyer also lists MC Kats, Top Boy MC, and Morgan MC among the performers, prompting Swangz Avenue to take legal action.
In a formal notice, the label accuses Vibes Promotions of unauthorized use of the “Roast and Rhyme” brand identity and demands that all related promotional materials — both online and offline — be immediately removed.
Swangz Avenue further insists that the organizers cease using the name, logo, slogan, or any other associated marks within seven (7) days of receiving the notice.
The document also demands that Vibes Promotions compensate the label with UGX 1 billion (approx. USD 260,000) in damages and UGX 90 million in legal fees. Should the promoters fail to comply, Swangz Avenue says it will take immediate legal action.
“We are protecting our intellectual property and the integrity of the Roast and Rhyme brand,” a source from Swangz Avenue noted.
At the time of publication, neither MC Kats nor Zack Maya had issued public statements regarding the allegations.
This developing case underscores ongoing challenges around intellectual property and event branding in Uganda’s entertainment industry.
Roast and Rhyme, a signature Swangz Avenue experience, remains one of Uganda’s most celebrated outdoor music and lifestyle events, known for blending live performances with a picnic vibe.
