Katwe Police probe murder of former Fangone Forest member “Top Dancer”

KAMPALA - Police in Katwe division are investigating the murder of Wilfred Namuwaya, popularly known as Top Dancer, a former associate of the Fangone Forest group, who succumbed to injuries at Mulago National Referral Hospital on September 22, 2025.

Police reports indicate Namuwaya was allegedly abducted from his residence in the Kampala city suburb of Ndeeba on September 20 by a man identified as Musomali, said to be linked to Fangone Forest.

He was reportedly taken to the forest, where Patrick Mulwana alias Alien Skin is alleged to have instructed his group to “discipline” him for leaving the camp without permission.

Namuwaya was brutally assaulted and later abandoned in Mpomba Zone, Makindye Division. Good Samaritans rushed him to Mulago Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.

Suspects being hunted

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, in a statement issued on September 23, confirmed that detectives are pursuing suspects connected to the case.

“We are investigating the murder of Namuwaya Wilfred, alias Top Dancer. The prime suspect is Mulwana Patrick, alias Alien Skin, together with his associates, identified as Commander Mdogo, Ibra Kabadiya, and Mijagulo. Efforts are underway to have them arrested and prosecuted,” Onyango said.

Police further revealed that the Fangone Forest group has been linked to a series of assaults on former members and other individuals over the past two weeks, with many victims reportedly reluctant to report out of fear of retaliation.

 The music-politics nexus

Investigators have uncovered deeper, more troubling links between these gangs and Kampala’s celebrity circles, particularly musicians and politicians. Known colloquially as egaali (entourages), these groups of mostly slum youth are increasingly being hired as private security or hype squads for artists and political figures. But many double as organised gangs.

 “Each district has its kingpin—be it a musician or a politician—who controls these youth,” said a senior official from the Directorate of Crime Intelligence. “They are paid between sh10,000 and sh20,000 a day to protect or cause chaos, depending on the occasion.”

 The situation came to a head earlier this year when a violent altercation between rival musicians Alien Skin (Mulwana) and Pius Mayanja alias Pallaso erupted at a New Year’s event at Lubiri, Mengo.

Alien Skin’s entourage allegedly assaulted bouncers and Police officers, prompting a mob retaliation that resulted in property damage outside his home.

The National Cultural Forum (NCF) and Uganda National Bouncers Federation (UNBF) formally petitioned the Police, alleging incitement of violence, malicious damage, and aggravated robbery.

 Police investigations into both musicians remain active, though neither artiste has been detained.

Earlier arrest

In November 2024, Allen Skin was arrested for assaulting medical staff at Nsambya Hospital and for a prior incident of robbery.

Alien Skin and his bodyguard were accused of assaulting a doctor and security guards at Nsambya Hospital after demanding medical reports for a deceased friend. While in court, a separate charge involving the theft of an iPhone 15 Pro and Sh480,000 from Salim Mubiru in September 2024 at H&M Restaurant was also brought against him.

He was remanded to Luzira prison on charges of robbery and assault.

On November 28, 2024, he was released on cash bail of sh1 million, with his sureties bonded for sh5 million.

He was also ordered to stay in court until the case is concluded.

Report

According to the 2024 Annual Crime Report, Uganda recorded 1,339 murders by assault and 1,016 by mob action, even as overall crime declined by 4.1%. 

In the last four years, Murders through Assault continued to lead with 1,095 cases registered in 2021, 1,085 cases in 2022, 1,127 cases in 2023 and 1,339 cases in 2024, followed by Murder by Mob Action with 759 cases registered in 2021, 953 cases in 2022, 1052 cases registered in 2023 and 1016 cases registered in 2024, among others.

Urban divisions such as Kawempe, Katwe, Kira Road, Mukono and Old Kampala remain hotspots for mob violence.  “Mob action undermines the rule of law and cannot be justified,” said police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma.

“People must report grievances through legal channels.”