Revellers at Paradise Hall in Arua city, northern Uganda became unruly when the advertised performance by Kampala-based Afro-beat artist David Lutalo did not materialize. To disperse the crowd, the police had to use bullets. The show was organized by Moses Abila of O.K Electronic Center Arua Promotion, and it attracted people from various regions including Arua, Zombo, Nebbi, Pakwach, and Madi Okollo.
According to the manager of Paradise Hall, Alex Jangeyambe, Abila disappeared in the middle of the night, turning off his phone after collecting gate fees from the revelers who were eagerly waiting for Lutalo’s performance. The disappointed crowd began destroying plastic chairs, tables, bottles, and drinks. They even started throwing stones at nearby structures, resulting in damage to the windscreen of a stationary tipper lorry.
Jangeyambe clarified that O.K. Electronic Promotion had booked the hall two weeks in advance and had fulfilled all payment obligations. However, when Lutalo’s manager, Nasa Ziwa, was contacted, he denied organizing any music performances in the West Nile region and claimed that they had not been approached.
On the other hand, Paradise Hall’s manager maintained that Abila had been working closely with him and had even booked accommodation for Lutalo and his crew in Karombo Cell, Zombo Town Council. Abila had told him that the team would stay in Zombo as they prepared for a separate show in Arua on Sunday, May 14.
