Musician Patrick Mulwana, popularly known as Alien Skin, and six members of his Fangone Forest group have been released on police bond after being arrested over multiple offences, including allegedly assaulting police officers on duty.
The group was arrested on Friday by military and traffic police at Wankulukuku stadium following a performance at a National Resistance Movement (NRM) patriotism event.
Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Rachel Kawala identified the other suspects as Ryan Kategaya, a DJ and resident of Makindye; Jorum Konya, a mechanic from Namungoona; Rashid Kato, a driver based in Makindye; Alex Mugema, a producer from Makindye; Julius Mugabi, head of Fangone security; and Gerald Ssenyonyi, all members of the Fangone Forest group.
“We arrested seven individuals for reckless driving, driving without a permit, operating a vehicle without a number plate, using illegal sirens, and assaulting a police officer on duty. They were due to be taken to court,” Kawala said.
However, the suspects were later released on police bond after intervention by Hellen Seku, the president’s private secretary on youth affairs and a commissioner at the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps.
“I had to intervene. The Fangone family is mine, and I’m your mother. I couldn’t leave you in custody,” Seku said shortly after their release. Alien Skin and members of his group have previously been linked to a series of incidents in Kampala.
Despite several arrests, he has often been released, raising questions about enforcement and accountability. In October last year, the musician was linked to the death of his group’s dancer, Wilfred Namuwaya, also known as Top Dancer.
He later turned himself in at Katwe police station and recorded a statement. Police have not publicly disclosed the outcome of investigations into the incident. More recently, a video circulated on social media showing Alien Skin directing individuals dressed in military-style attire to remove Fangone Forest flags and salute him, drawing public criticism.
Police records also link members of the group to several violent incidents, including a 2024 attack at Nsambya hospital, where they allegedly assaulted a doctor and two security guards while demanding medical forms for a colleague injured in a road accident. Alien Skin was arrested, remanded to Luzira prison and later released on court bail.
