Some of Alien Skin’s cars are seen on January 2, 2025 after they were vandalised by hus music rival Pallaso and his gang. PHOTO | MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
Police yesterday announced a massive crackdown on the rising violent gangs created and run by music artistes that have left innocent bystanders caught in the crosshairs.
Police were moved to start a thorough investigation, which they say will result in numerous arrests after two Kampala-based musicians—Pius Mayanja, alias Pallaso, and Patrick Mulwana, alias Alien Skin, —got embroiled in a scuffle that occupied two straight days.
“There is a trend we have observed among musicians where they have developed gangs commonly known as Bigaali where they move in large gangs in entertainment shows and public events. They have turned almost into roving bands, beating each other, damaging property, disrupting public order,” police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke told Monitor last evening.
He added: “As police we wish to send a warning that we are going to round up all these groups and call them to account for their actions. Actually, as we speak, we have already commenced an investigation into their action and shall start picking one by one.”
The two artistes, for whom there has always been no love lost, resurrected their war on December 31 in two different locations as the country was ringing in the new year. At this year’s famous annual Enkuuka festival hosted by the king of Buganda at the Lubiri Palace in Mengo on December 31, Alien Skin reportedly came with his Fangone Forest Gang. It is alleged that the rogue elements caused havoc, beating up revellers who were enjoying performances from different artistes.
NTV Uganda, our sister TV station, reported that Alien Skin’s gang members upon arrival reportedly wanted their artiste to head to the stage straightaway. When the festival organisers declined, this prompted the gang to reportedly start a scuffle.
A yet-to-be unspecified number of people were injured while others lost their properties like phones.
