Rwandan model and entrepreneur Jolly Mutesi has issued a formal notice of intention to sue Ugandan musician Bebe Cool for defamation, escalating a heated social media dispute over allegations of an online scam.
In a June 17, 2026 legal notice issued through Mbidde & Co. Advocates, Ms Mutesi accuses Bebe Cool of publishing “false, malicious and defamatory” statements on social media linking her to fraudulent activities allegedly carried out through WhatsApp communications.
The legal notice demands an immediate retraction, a public apology, and an undertaking to cease further publication of the allegations, warning that failure to comply within 48 hours will result in court action for defamation, injurious falsehood, and aggravated publication of false statements.
Ms Mutesi, who was crowned Miss Rwanda in 2016 and is widely regarded as one of the most prominent beauty queens in Rwanda’s modern history, also maintains that she has never had any direct dealings with the singer and that the phone number referenced in the allegations is fraudulent and linked to impersonators.
She has built a public profile beyond pageantry, with recognition for her advocacy work for women and girls, as well as her role in promoting Rwanda on international platforms.
Asked by this publication whether he met Bebe Cool at Emirates Stadium or London as the singer insists in his posts, Ms Mutesi had a firm answer: "I don't know him [personally] and I've never met him."
She added that she was not interested in "cheap popularity over people's reputlation".
In a public statement, she said she did not take the allegations lightly and had instructed her legal team to handle the matter.
“To the general public. I would like to tell you that I didn’t take allegations made by MOSES SSALI aka BEBE COOL @BebeCoolUG lightly and in the interest of ensuring that all matters are handled appropriately, I have formally referred this matter to my legal counsel,” she said.
The dispute stems from Bebe Cool’s recent posts on X, where he alleged he was defrauded by individuals he linked to Mutesi, claiming he engaged in WhatsApp conversations with someone using her identity.
He further posted screenshots and said the matter involved a broader network of individuals allegedly impersonating the former Miss Rwanda.
However, Ms Mutesi has consistently denied any involvement, stating that she had previously warned the public about imposters using her identity to solicit money.
In 2024, she publicly alerted followers that fake accounts were operating under her name and urged people not to engage with unverified contacts.
Her lawyers also argue that the telephone number cited by the singer had previously been flagged by third parties as being used by fraudsters impersonating her identity.
In posts in which he appealed directly to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Bebe Cool shared a series of screenshots from his WhatsApp message with a person whose contact he saved as "Jolly UK Arsenal Stadium".
The chats includes suggestions by the other party to work magic to help Bebe's son get enrolled to Arsenal academy, connections to promote his music in the UK with the alleged Jolly Mutesi also posting photos of the real Jolly Mutesi taken from Emirates Stadium.
The alleged person also bragged to Bebe Cool that they are "like the boss" and that "I report to Kagame direct".
But Ms Mutesi's lawyers now say Bebe Cool’s publication on his verified social media account amounted to reputational harm and was made without verification, constituting express malice.
The notice demands that the singer immediately cease all publication of the allegations, issue a retraction, and publish an apology in a form approved by Mutesi’s legal team.
Bebe Cool, however, has doubled down on his claims in subsequent posts, insisting that his allegations are based on direct communications and screenshots he says he possesses.
He has also called for investigations, stating that more evidence will be released in due course.
The musician has further alleged that multiple individuals may be involved in what he describes as a wider scam network, though these claims have not been independently verified.
The Nile Post has also attempted to reach the UK-registered mobile telephone number Bebe Cool provided as having been used by his alleged scammer but did not get any response from prompts.