Ugandan opposition supporter faces arrest for Red Beret, Cyber Posts

Ugandan Opposition Supporter Faces Arrest Over Alleged Cyber Harassment and Red Beret Posts Online
Kampala, Uganda – Whisper Eye Reports

Ugandan authorities have issued an arrest warrant for prominent opposition activist Namakajjo George, accusing him of violating the Computer Misuse Act and engaging in cyber harassment through his social media platforms.

George, 32, a community organiser from Kawaala and Mukono and a vocal supporter of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, is alleged to have used online platforms to publish what police describe as “offensive communication” targeting government officials, alongside content glorifying banned political symbols.

According to police, part of the case against George stems from his repeated use of photos and videos showing himself and others wearing the red beret—a symbol of Bobi Wine’s People Power movement.

The red beret was outlawed in 2025 under a UPDF Amendment Bill, which classified it as official military attire, making its civilian use a criminal offence.

“His conduct on social media amounts to incitement, cyber harassment, and the promotion of prohibited regalia,” police spokesperson Owoyesigyire said in a Thursday briefing. “We cannot allow individuals to misuse digital platforms to attack leaders and spread messages that undermine national security.”

The case highlights how Ugandan authorities are increasingly turning to digital policing and cybercrime laws to control political expression. Since the 2022 amendments to the Computer Misuse Act, dozens of activists, journalists, and bloggers have been charged with offenses ranging from “offensive communication” to “cyber harassment,” often linked to criticism of the ruling government.

Critics argue the crackdown reflects a pattern of using legislation to restrict civic space. “The red beret ban is a symbolic attack on the People Power movement. Now by extending that fight into cyberspace, the regime wants to intimidate youth who see Bobi Wine as their future,” said political analyst Nakamya.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) condemned the warrant, describing it as “another cowardly act by a regime afraid of the people.” They vowed to pursue legal action and called on supporters to remain steadfast.

Bobi Wine himself has not commented directly on George’s case, but NUP leaders say the move fits into a broader pattern of harassment, recalling past arrests of supporters and the frequent use of force to block opposition activities.

George is expected to be produced in court once arrested. If convicted under the Computer Misuse Act and for promoting banned military attire online, he could face up to five years in prison, setting a precedent for how far the state will go to criminalize online dissent and political symbolism ahead of the 2026 general elections.