A legal dispute has surfaced over the trademark registration of “Alien Skin” and the company name “Fangone Forest Entertainment Ltd.” City businessman Agumiikiriza Aguma Aaron, director of Fangone Forest Entertainment Ltd, filed a counter-statement claiming the company name is legally registered and trademarked to him. Documents from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) back Aguma’s claim and show his efforts to protect his business interests.
In a statutory declaration submitted via affidavit, Aguma stated that he has been in production, distribution, and commercial publishing for over a decade, completing more than 200 projects for over 50 clients. He described his brand as a “laboured brand” built over many years, which he claims is now threatened by the artist’s attempt to register a similar name. Aguma emphasized that he does not have a stage name, clarifying his role is purely business-related.
The artist known as Alien Skin, represented by Patrick Shyaka & Co. Advocates, has filed a formal Notice of Opposition to the trademark application. The opposition is based on prior use and the reputation Alien Skin has built over four years performing under the unregistered mark. Alien Skin’s legal team argues that the businessman’s use of “Fangone Forest Entertainment Ltd” could confuse the public, given the artist’s portfolio of 42 songs and the goodwill associated with the name.
The dispute is now being handled by the URSB, which oversees trademark applications. An official notice from the URSB, dated October 15, 2025, informed Alien Skin’s legal team of Aguma’s counter-statement. The Registrar has given Alien Skin 42 days to submit supporting evidence, warning that failure to comply could result in the case being considered abandoned.
The case underscores growing tensions between established business entities and emerging artists over intellectual property rights in Uganda’s fast-evolving entertainment sector. The outcome is expected to set an important precedent for future trademark disputes in the industry.
