Musician Patrick Mulwana, popularly known as Alien Skin, and several members of his Fangone Forest group have been detained over traffic-related offences, including the alleged use of illegal sirens.
The musician was arrested on Friday evening at Wankulukuku Stadium in Rubaga Division, a suburb of Kampala, shortly after performing at the NRM’s patriotism function. The arrest was carried out by heavily deployed military police alongside traffic police.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheala Kawala confirmed the arrest but noted that full details of the charges were still being compiled. However, sources at Nateete Police Station, where the suspects are currently being held, indicate that Alien Skin and his associates are likely to face multiple charges, including violations related to the unlawful use of sirens in a motorcade.
A police source said he had been detained alongside his associates after his team escorted him using illegal sirens, an act that is not permitted. According to traffic safety regulations, the use of sirens and flashing lights, reserved strictly for emergency and authorised government vehicles, is prohibited for civilian motorists. The source added that there have also been complaints about their vehicles breaching traffic regulations, as well as concerns regarding their conduct both on stage and within their neighbourhood.
Official charges, the source noted, will be communicated in due course.Alien Skin has, in recent months, faced mounting criticism and scrutiny over alleged public disturbances involving members of his group. A widely circulated video recently showed him directing individuals dressed in military-like attire to remove Fangone Forest flags and salute him, an act that drew widespread condemnation on social media.
Police records also link the singer and his group to several past incidents of violence. In one case, members of his crew reportedly stormed Nsambya Hospital following a colleague’s injury in a car accident, demanding medical reports. When their request was denied, they allegedly assaulted a doctor and two security guards, leaving three people injured.
Alien Skin was subsequently arrested, remanded to Luzira Prison, and later released on court bail.In October last year, the musician was also linked to the murder of his group dancer, Wilfred Namuwaya, alias Top Dancer.
He later turned himself in at Katwe Police Station and recorded a statement. Reports indicated that he had been angered by the dancer’s decision to leave the group. Investigations into the matter are still ongoing.In a separate earlier incident, he allegedly assaulted Ntale Tonny, a bouncer at Vox Bar in Makindye, after being asked to comply with security procedures.
Regulation 140 of the Uganda Traffic and Road Safety (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Regulations provides that unauthorised use of such equipment may attract fines or imprisonment. URN