Police in Kampala have banned Ugandan artistes from moving with more than five people to and from venues they are booked to perform following last week’s violent exchanges between two gangs led by musicians Pius Mayanja, alias Pallaso and Patrick Mulwana, also known as Alien Skin.
“Kampala Metropolitan Police and joint security team do not want to see any artiste moving with a group of youths who are hooligans or whose intentions is to cause havoc. The resolution is that musicians are supposed to move with a few selected people, and not 10 or 20 as a gang. They have resolved that no artiste will be allowed to move with more than five people in his or her group. If police gets you with more than five people, they will be screened and the rest be detained,” Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango told journalists on Monday.
According to him, the five include the artiste’s manager, the DJ, secretary, treasurer and one person for personal security. This comes days after events and music promoters in the country announced a 90-day ban against artistes with established gangs.
“This is to allow security to dismantle those gangs and allow proper music. Music should be uniting, regardless the different political affiliation you belong to. Music should not be used to destroy property, people’s homes, cars and grabbing other people’s mobile phones,” said Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara before he dismissed reports that Alien Skin is promoted by the NRM government to neutralize musician turned politician, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi. According to Balaam, government has no interest in criminals as its supporters.
“The president I believe in has arrested colleague ministers who committed crimes previously and remanded them to Luzira Prison. The president cannot hire Alien Skin or Pallaso to go and terrorize revelers at Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s end of year bash. It is not true that government hired Alien Skin to destabilize or counter NUP,” he added.
Alien Skin’s gang is accused of beating up revelers and stealing mobile phones at the Kabaka’s December 31 bash dubbed Enkuuka.
Police last week said they were were investigating a violent raid at Alien Skin’s home in Kizungu zone, Makindye Division, Kampala District which resulted into vandalism of property, cars and injuries of some of his gang members.
According to police reports, the suspects, included Pallaso while some of their victims were identified as Joseph Nyanzi, Julius Mugabi and one Becker.
“Preliminary investigations suggest Alien Skin and Pallaso had a disagreement while performing at a venue in Buloba, Wakiso District. The dispute escalated, leading to the attack on Alien Skin’s residence,” SSP Onyango said in a January 2 statement.
A scuffle ensued between two gangs led by Pallaso and Alien Skin at Crysto Panda’s concert where Alien Skin gang allegedly attempted to block Pallaso from performing. When he finally got to the stage, Pallaso jibed Skin. But as he left the stage, he was attacked by Alien Skin’s gang.
Later Pallaso’s gang, armed with pangas, pit axes, hammers, and stones, launched two separate raids on Alien Skin’s residence.
Police said the first attack occurred at around 3am on January 2, 2025, but was repelled by security officers from Makindye Police Station. A second attack happened at 9am the same day, resulting in significant damage to property.
“The destruction was extensive, with five motor vehicles having shattered windshields and damaged lights, three houses with shattered glass, and cash amounting to Shs6 million stolen. Two victims are currently receiving treatment at Mengo Hospital,” he stated.
