A musical gang arrives at the venue of the annual end of year Enkuuka festival at the Lubiri Palace in Mengo, Kampala on December 31,2024. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
It was on the evening of May 29, 2023 when Alien Skin, alias Patrick Mulwana, announced his arrival to Uganda.
Previously, he scored modest successes before an equally modest-sized audience on TikTok. What burned Alien Skin into the national consciousness was violence he suffered at the hands of Pius Mayanja, alias Pallaso.
A music concert was hastily organised by promoter Abbey Musinguzi in what he termed as a consolation for Alien Skin. Unrepentant, Pallaso accused Alien Skin of presiding over a gang that raided his rehearsal space and caused commotion.
Indeed, Alien Skin would often appear on TikTok live broadcasts professing violence, using drugs and threatening whoever he would disagree with.
Now truly synonymous with violence, Alien Skin made headlines for all the wrong reasons during the recent festive period following brawls at the Tondeka ekiwatule, Enkuuka and Empere festivals.
Musician Patrick Mulwana, alias Alien Skin and his private bodyguard Julius Mugabi being escorted to the courtroom by prison warders at Makindye Magistrate's Court on November 28, 2024. PHOTO/ ABUBAKER LUBOWA
A gang that is attached to the singer has always been accused of causing chaos at music events and in the public space. The same group was filmed assaulting security and medical personnel at St Francis Hospital, Nsambya. The singer has often publicly claimed that the group dubbed Fangone Forest, comprises his security detail and support staff.
In a telephone interview, Mr Luke Owoyesigire, the deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, said most of the Fangone gang members have been reprimanded before. Mr Owoyesigire further disclosed that some of them were once incarcerated.
“We have always taken action whenever the victims report to us,” he said, adding, “About those who were taken to prison and now they are back, that is not our question as police.”
Monitor has uncovered the identities of the rogue elements that have earned the Fangone Forest a bad rap.
Yusuf Babu
He is a former heavyweight boxer once attached to Cobap Boxing Club based on Lubya Hill in Namungoona.
According to a police report dated April 11, 2023, the Flying Squad Unit cracked down an organised criminal gang that had specialised in attacks on schools. Twenty-six suspects were arrested, including Babu said to be the overall commander of the gang that operates in small clusters of three to seven.
According to a statement made by then police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, Babu and his accomplices admitted to having participated in the attacks and robberies at UMEA Primary School in Kyebando—Nansana, Bodoko Primary School at Kayunga in Wakiso and Kyadondo Islamic Secondary School, Matugga.
During their attack at Kyadondo Islamic Secondary School, on February 9, 2023, they killed a guard called Solomon Mujumbi and critically injured John Asingya, before robbing Shs111m.
The group were also behind the attack and robbery at St Joseph’s Junior Seminary, Nswanjere, where they stole the communion cup, Shs1.4m, two laptops and mobile phones from the priests.
Whereas Babu was charged at Mattuga Magistrate’s Court, he was reportedly never committed to the High Court for the said offences. Consequently, he was released from Luzira Prison in June 2024. Months later, he showed up in public as part of Alien Skin’s security detail.
Interestingly, before his recent arrest, Babu was a darling of Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, who rallied fans to watch his fights. Achileo Kivumbi, a pillar in Mr Kyagulanyi’s security team, was Babu’s manager for a long period.
Ibrah Kabadiya
Kabadiya (born Ibrahim Luliika Mukiibi) was previously part of Copab Boxing Club. The man, who also trades as Young Lion, was previously filmed in a couple of chaotic events that included brawls with police officers in Mbarara, manhandling TV presenter Sandra Lian at a Purple Party event in Fort Portal, assaulting promoter Nobert at Papaz Restaurant in Makindye and fighting TV presenter MC Kats at an event in 2023.
The name Kabadiya refers to a rare neck chokehold, a popular technique used by robbers and street gangs.
Ismail Kaka
Whereas there is a face to the name Ismail Kaka, little is known about him. However, according to Mr Umar Bulega, the president of the newly formed Uganda National Bouncers Federation, Kaka is probably the most lethal member of the ‘alien gang’.
“Kaka is a very dangerous criminal who used to work with Sobbi. He has often fought revellers and bouncers at events and always walked away with people’s belongings,” Mr Bulega said, referring to Sobbi (birth name Paddy Sserunjogi) a notorious suspected killer and operative with the Internal Security Organisation, who was killed by a mob two Decembers ago.
Command Mudoogo
Even though little is known about Command Mudoogo, his first involvement in the music industry was when he played a part in singer Rickman’s music video dubbed Bango. Multiple sources share that Mudoogo is a notorious slum dweller who hails from Kisenyi, Downtown Kampala.
Appearing on a local TV station, Mudoogo who never shares his real name, confirmed that he is a former street child who lives in Kisenyi. Mudoogo, a popular figure on TikTok, is known for publicly professing to beating up those who call out Alien Skin. He recently confirmed that he is the one who assaulted TikToker Jjajja Baamu.
A source said Mudoogo’s duty is to attack whoever calls Alien Skin to order. Ms Jane Namukasa, a journalist, said she was lured by an unidentified individual to a purported job that involved emceeing an event dubbed Nkwakyo festival.
When she went for negotiations, she was reportedly beaten by both Mudoogo and Alien Skin. “They called me for a job and upon arrival, they started harassing me claiming that I had shared a bad review about Alien Skin’s behaviour on television,” she told Saturday Monitor.
Reagan Magumba
A boxer attached to Lukanga Boxing Club in Masajja-Ggangu, Magumba is a Uganda Boxing Champions league light welterweight fighter who emerged second during last year’s championship.
TikTok clips have often depicted Magumba either manhandling revellers at events or instructing Alien Skin’s gang during the chaos. At an event on New Year’s Day at Forest Park in Buloba, Alien Skin was recorded using cryptic language instructing Magumba to beat up whoever had turned off the music system in the technical box.
Julio Deczar
Presumably, Alien Skin’s right hand man, Julius Mugabi is also the artiste’s personal bodyguard. Mugabi was recently arrested along with Alien Skin and formally charged in connection with an incident that took place at St Francis Hospital, Nsambya where they caused grievous harm.
According to the charge sheet, Mulwana, Mugabi and others on November 19, 2024, at St Francis Hospital, Nsambya, Makindye Division in Kampala District, unlawfully did grievous harm to Dr Zaidi Matovu, Alex Odongo and Anthony Munyanda.
Other members
Besides the known culprits, there are several individuals who have always been accused of brutalising people at events.
These include a scar-faced self-confessed criminal christened Mujapan wa Alien; Isma Mijagulo, alias Lucifers’ boyfriend; Coach Clement, among others.
Past incidents
March 2023: Alien Skin’s gang reportedly attacked singer Pallaso’s rehearsal space and violence ensued. He jumped off the police patrol truck and escaped after being arrested.
September 2023: Entertainer and TV host MC Kats was violently dragged off stage by pro-Alien Skin thugs during a concert in Kampala.
Entertainer and TV host MC Kats (black attire) is seen dragged off stage by pro-Alien Skin men during a concert in Kampala on September 8, 2023. PHOTO/SCREENGRAB
Two separate case files were opened at Jinja Road Police station late September 8 with MC Kats accusing Alien Skin and others still at large of “assault.”
February 2024: There was chaos during the Zzina Awards at the International University of East Africa auditorium after Alien Skin’s gang clashed with Fik Gaza’s Gaza gang.
September 2024: Alien Skin was arrested and sent to Luzira on charges of robbery. Prosecutors alleged that Alien robbed cash and an iPhone from one Salim Mubiru.
Upon remand, he was further slapped with more charges of assault of two doctors and two security guards at Nsambya Hospital.
December 2024: During the End-of-Year Enkuuka celebration at Kabaka’s palace in Mengo, Alien Skin’s gang was filmed beating up revellers.
December 2024: During the Empere Music Festival at Buloba Forest Park in Wakiso, Alien Skin’s gang engaged in violence with a rival gang led by singer Pallaso.
Why all the beef?
Music artistes have recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Here is a lowdown on the goings on and what’s being done to restore normalcy.
Is this a new occurrence?
No. In the mid-2000s at Lubiri, members of Bobi Wine’s Fire Base Crew reportedly attacked Bebe Cool’s Gagamel, beating up Bebe Cool to the extent of being bedridden at Mayo Hospital.
Musician Bebe Cool performs during the annual Enkuuka end of year party at Lubiri in Kampala on December 31, 2024. PHOTO/MICHEAL KAKUMRIZI
In 2005, Jose Chameleone and his Leone Island crew beat up Elvis Kirya, alias Vampino, outside Club Silk for allegedly disrespecting the singer.
Another incident happened at Effendy’s bar in Centenary Park where Bebe Cool’s Gagamel and Goodlyf crews locked horns.
What gangs are we talking about?
They include Pallaso and Chameleon’s Lipanda both based in Kawempe and Katwe; Alien Skin’s Fangone Forest based in Makindye; Fik Gaza’s Gaza in Kawempe; the Kabowa-based Kifeesi that pledges its allegiance to Chameleone and Ziza Bafana; Kigato commanded by Young Mulo in Zaana; and Mwala from Kisenyi that works with anyone who pays them. Other artistes said to have gangs include Mark Da Urban, Mudra and Khalifa Aganaga.
What is being done?
In a bid to counter gangs, event promoters recently imposed three-month ban on Alien Skin and Pallaso. The promoters are banking on the police to speed up investigations into incidents of violence.
The resolution was jointly taken by promoters Balaam Barugahara, Abbey Musinguzi, Andrew Alphonse Mukasa, among others.
Musician Daniel Kazibwe, alias Ragga Dee, who is the chairperson of the National Cultural Forum, shares that they have agreed with police not to allow any musician to move with more than five persons.
Phina Mugerwa, alias Masanyalaze, the vice chairperson of Uganda National Cultural Centre, say
thus: “There is no sanity in the creative sector and this is what we are currently trying to restore and it also involves the quality of content, we should not have a room for violence and profanity.”
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. “It is time for us to take a stand against this toxic behaviour and promote a culture of respect, unity, and inclusivity,” he said.
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