This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
On April 11, 2017, a Tanzanian court made history in the application of copyright law by awarding Bongo flava artistes Ambwene Yessaya, aka AY, and Hamisi Mwinjuma, aka MwanaFA, TSh2.18 billion (KSh96m) in special damages.
The award was granted by Ilala senior resident magistrate Juma Hassan after a four-year court battle between the parties. The award also includes a separate TSh25 million (KSh 1.1 million) in general damages.
AY and MwanaFA had sued mobile phone company MIC Tanzania (Tigo) for unauthorized use of their music as callback tunes. The two songs at the centre of the controversy are Dakika Moja and Usije Mjini, featuring AY, MwanaFA and the late Mangwea.
On May 1, 2018, AY and MwanaFA woke up to find the entire sum of Sh96m deposited in their account. This was the same day AY welcomed his second child, a daughter.
AY confirmed the news to Global Publishers, revealing that he owns the Calabasas mansion in California, USA, which he acquired two months after Tigo paid them. He also owns another mansion in Dar es Salaam and four cars.
