Gangsta’s paradise: What’s the beef? Roots of rivalries in Uganda's music industry

This new era marked the introduction of open rivalries in Ugandan music as music consumers started taking sides.

The industry started witnessing ‘beef’, with gang-like groups serving as bodyguards and aides.

These rivalries intensified, leading to the formation of crews. These included Fire Base under Bobi Wine, Leone Island under Jose Chameleone, Gagamel under Bebe Cool as well as Goodlyf under
Mowzey Radio (RIP) and Weasel.

It was, however, Fire Base that became notorious for its aggressive behaviour, often targeting individuals who defied its leader’s orders.

Renaissance of gangs
Today, a similar pattern is emerging with artistes starting up gangs that are referred to now as Egaali.

Having a gang has become a status symbol for many musicians. Some of the gangs usually emerge from the backyards of many an artiste.

For instance, Pallaso has Lipanda both in Kawempe and Katwe; Alien Skin has Fangone Forest located in Makindye; Fik Gaza has Gaza located in Kawempe.

Elsewhere, there is Kifeesi, hailing from Kabowa, which usually works for Chameleone and Ziza Bafana; Kigato that is commanded by Young Mulo in Zaana; and there is also one known as Mwala from Kisenyi that works with anyone who pays them.

Other artistes who are said to have gangs include Mark Da Urban, Mudra and Khalifa Aganaga.

According to Emma Carlos, the executive secretary for The National Cultural Forum, musicians are not supposed to have gangs.

They should instead, he opines, have tag teams that do things like running errands, babysit musicians, do photography works,among others.

“Some of these fights are manufactured to create visibility or continuity and vibe around the industry for artistes while others are real, which flows into teams or gangs which leads to friction,” he pointed out.

Per Sadat Mukiibi, alias Khalifa Aganaga, each member of his entourage has a vital role to play.

“I started with around 15 people, but each person had a role they played on the team. Some were my drivers, social media handlers and dancers, among others,” he said.

Khalifa also added that besides his team,some others were just friends who just wanted to be around him and these would actually invest in his career.

They would buy him shoes, clothes and contribute to his other needs. This is something that fellow artiste,
Mark Olule, alias Mark Da Urban, agrees with.

“I cannot be the performer then select my own songs at the deejay box, hype myself and also film myself. I need people around me to do that. The other people I surround myself with are for security purposes,” he said.

Becoming violent
Alfa Sebunya, alias Mudra, told Monitor the people seen as hangers-on actually form a protective sheath.

So, why do they become violent? Bebe Cool was once hospitalised following an attack.

In 2005, singer Jose Chameleone and his crew beat up Vampino, alias Elvis Kirya, outside Club Silk for allegedly disrespecting him.

“Chameleone with Leon Island Crew beat me up. I was with Rabadaba who went and greeted him and suddenly, some guys came and asked me why I had not bowed before their man Dr Chameleon. I replied that I only bow before God. I called Chameleone and asked him why his guys were telling me to bow before him and before I knew it, he pushed me and his crew members started beating me up,”Vampino narrated back then.

In response, Chameleone said he saw Vampino in a scuffle with his Leone Island guys and went to intervene.

Another incident happened at Effendy’s bar at Centenary Park where Bebe Cool’s Gagamel and Goodlyf clashed, which later led to Bebe Cool being shot and then admitted at Nsambya hospital for a month.

Alien Skin, Pallaso clash
In March 2023, a video clip did rounds on social media with Pius Mayanja, alias Pallaso, physically assaulting Alien Skin.

The self-styled King-of-the-East was heard constantly commanding Alien Skin to respect him and to say it out loud as he rained punches on him. Pallaso revealed in a later interview that he was attacked by Alien Skin and his gang while rehearsing for his forthcoming concert

This scuffle prompted Alien Skin to stage a concert on the same day as Pallaso’s and in the end both concerts worked but the feud remained.

Alien Skin was arrested and sent to Luzira in September 2024 on charges of robbery.

Prosecutors alleged that Alien Skin used actual violence against Salim Mubiru during or immediately after the robbery of an iPhone 15 Pro valued at Shs3.5 million,cash amounting to Shs480,000, and a wallet containing personal documents, including a national identification card.

The Fangone Forest boss was also slapped with more charges of assault of two doctors and two security guards following chaos at Nsambya hospital.

During the just concluded End-of-Year Enkuuka celebration in Lubiri Mengo, Alien Skin’s gang are said to have beaten up partygoers over allegations that they wanted to throw bottles at Alien Skin.

Chaos erupted the following day (New Year) at Forest Park Buloba during the Empele Festival, an annual musical show organised by Hebert Kityamuwesi, alias Crysto Panda.

The chaos involved artistes Pallaso and his crew as well as Alien Skin and his aides, which left many nursing wounds, and a lot of property destroyed.

According to Patrick Ssengendo,a boda rider who was at the venue when chaos erupted, Alien Skin’s gang beat up Pallaso’s crew when the latter had finished his performance.

“Pallaso had just started his performance when Alien Skin and his gang members came through. They forced Pallaso off the stage and beat up some of his crew members before they fled the scene,”Ssengendo said.

This incident forced police to use live bullets and teargas to disperse the crowds and end the show prematurely.

No love lost
Speaking to Monitor about the incident, Crysto Panda said thus: “What happened is that Alien Skin’s gang members said Pallaso had mocked their boss during his performance at Enkuuka music show in Lubiri in one of his freestyle sessions in his latest song Byabanene which they did not take lightly.”

This incident forced Pallaso to attack Alien Skin’s home and vandalise his cars, break windows and destroy other property as well as beating some people as well.

According to Alien Skin’s bodyguard Julius Mugabi, alias Julio, Pallaso attacked them with more than 50 people. 

“It was around 3am when I saw Pallaso and his gang of around 50 people coming towards us with all sorts of weapons. They stoned us before they left. They returned during the day and vandalised everything they found in the compound,” he said.

This was confirmed by Katwe Police Division which reported an aggravated robbery and malicious damage to property complaint by Alien Skin.

“On the 2/1/2025 at about 0930/C. Information about aggravated robbery and malicious damage to property was reported at Makindye police station by Patrick Mulwana, alias Alien Skin, that
occurred at Kizungu Zone, Makindye Division, Kampala District, with particulars of the suspect being Mayanja Pius,alias Pallaso.”

The Police took action by visiting the scene led by D/CID/O and according to the findings and observation, the suspects were armed with machetes (pangas), axes, hammers and stones. They damaged five vehicles and three houses. They also reportedly stole Shs6 million.

Two people injured in the attack were admitted to Mengo Hospital.

Top bras speak out 

Phina Mugerwa Masanyalaze, the vice chairperson of Uganda National Cultural Centre, an institution in charge of the creative sector, has condemned the recent actions by both artistes, saying their actions are a result of the industry not having a code of conduct.

“The industry has turned into a haven of sinners. We do not need to tolerate such people. People
who are destroying our jobs. We have to bring back sanity in the creative sector. We have been on this starting with content, the way artistes dress and their discipline as well,” she said.

According to Robert Nkuke, Chameleone’s manager, these gangs have been perpetuating a culture of violence, intimidation, and disrespect, not only towards each other but also towards fans, event organisers, and the general public.

“As a concerned stakeholder in the Ugandan entertainment industry. I’m calling for a ban on all artiste gang members from participating in any events, concerts, or festivals in Uganda. It’s time for us to take a stand against this toxic behaviour and promote a culture of respect, unity, and inclusivity. Our events should be safe spaces for everyone, not battlegrounds for rival gangs,” he posted.

This incident has also led to an emergency meeting that is scheduled to take place next Monday at National Theatre for entertainment stakeholders, the United National Entertainment Promoters Association and National Culture Forum on Security and Safety at Music Events.

“Following recent incidents of violence at music events, there is an urgent need to address security and safety concerns to protect lives and safeguard the industry’s reputation. Last year, stakeholders agreed on self-regulations aimed at enhancing discipline and ensuring safety at concerts,” a January 2 statement by the National Culture Forum reads in part.

It added: “It is now imperative that we act decisively to implement and strengthen these measures.  The meeting will focus on reaffirming the agreed-upon self-regulations and addressing the challenges currently affecting the entertainment industry.”