Sheilah Gashumba Demands UGX 880 Million as Dispute with Evelyn Mic Heads Toward Court A dispute over claims about Sheilah Gashumba’s relationship has escalated into a legal confrontation, with the media personality demanding UGX 880 million from radio presenter Evelyn Mic over alleged defamatory statements. The dispute began after comments made by Evelyn Mic concerning Gashumba’s relationship with businessman Alex Bidandi. Gashumba rejected the claims and subsequently threatened legal action. The disagreement has since moved from social media exchanges to a formal pre-action demand, raising questions about the limits of entertainment reporting, privacy and reputational harm in Uganda’s increasingly digital media environment. Gashumba’s relationship with Bidandi had already attracted public interest. The pair had been identified in media reports as a couple after Gashumba spoke about her relationship during an interview with Kasuku. They were also reported to have appeared together at a public event. UGX 880 million demand Gashumba’s lawyers have reportedly issued Evelyn Mic with a seven-day ultimatum over statements and publications linked to the relationship. The demand reportedly seeks UGX 880 million in damages and calls for the removal of the disputed material from social media and other platforms. Gashumba is also seeking a public apology and retraction, including through media platforms where the statements were aired or repeated. The lawyers are further demanding a written undertaking from Evelyn Mic not to repeat the allegations. If the demands are not met within the specified period, Gashumba’s lawyers have indicated that civil proceedings could follow. The financial demand places the dispute among the more notable recent legal confrontations involving Ugandan media personalities. Evelyn Mic refuses to back down Evelyn Mic has rejected the demand for an apology and maintained that her comments were based on information she believed supported her claims. The presenter has reportedly insisted that evidence exists to support her position, including messages and screenshots relating to the alleged relationship difficulties. She has also accused Gashumba of attempting to intimidate media personalities through the threat of legal action. If the matter reaches court, the dispute would move beyond the competing accounts circulating on social media. Gashumba would need to establish the legal basis for her claim and the harm allegedly caused by the statements, while Evelyn Mic would have an opportunity to present her defense. The precise legal arguments will depend on the contents of the demand notice and any eventual court pleadings. From social media feud to media accountability The dispute has also drawn attention because of the way the allegations spread. Entertainment reporting in Uganda increasingly moves between radio, television, TikTok, YouTube, X, Facebook and other platforms. A statement made during a broadcast can therefore reach thousands of people within minutes and continue circulating long after the original programme ends. For public figures, this creates a difficult balance between legitimate public-interest reporting and personal privacy. Gashumba has previously been at the centre of intense online speculation about her private life. In April, she publicly clarified another viral claim concerning her personal life, saying her pregnancy remarks had been made as a joke. (Pulse Uganda) The latest dispute raises a different question: when does entertainment commentary cross the line into a legally actionable statement about a person’s reputation? Robin Kisti also drawn into dispute The legal confrontation reportedly extends beyond Evelyn Mic. Media critic Robin Kisti has also been drawn into the dispute after making related comments about the relationship. His involvement illustrates how quickly a single allegation can spread across Uganda’s media ecosystem, with broadcasters, commentators and social media users repeating or discussing claims originally made elsewhere. For media organizations, the dispute presents a practical lesson in verification. Statements concerning the private lives of public figures still require careful handling, particularly where claims are presented as facts rather than opinion. What happens next? The seven-day demand gives the parties a short window to resolve the dispute without litigation. If no settlement is reached, Gashumba could pursue a civil case, leaving the courts to examine the disputed statements, the evidence supporting them, their publication and the damage allegedly caused. Until such proceedings begin and evidence is tested, the competing claims remain allegations from both sides. The dispute therefore goes beyond celebrity gossip. It raises a broader issue for Uganda’s entertainment media: how far should broadcasters and online commentators go when reporting on the private lives of public figures, and who bears the financial risk when unverified claims turn into legal battles?