NUP Man jailed 485 days for wearing a red political beret

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have jailed an opposition supporter who allegedly was arrested for wearing a red beret a political attire identified with NUP a political party led by former Kyadondo East MP Hon Robert Kayagulangi Ssentamu. #WhisperEyeNews

Mr. Bukenya Moses commonly known as Mr. Wiser a National Unity Platform supporter was arrested in Katanga one year and four months ago on charges of unauthorized wearing of uniforms ca 160 (1) b of UPDF Act 2005 in Wandegeya.

The UPDF court released Mr. Bukenya on bail after serving 485 days. The same UPDF military court has directed that Bukenya reports to the registered office every after 14 days mainly on Fridays.

The National Unity Platform party secretary General, Mr. David Lewis Rubogonya, said that After one year and four months, comrade Bukenya Moses aka Wiser was released on bail by the military court yesterday. “He was abducted from Katanga. He refused to plead guilty to the illegal charges and chose to stay on remand! he added.

He is still as solid as rock! We shall overcome, noted Mr. David Lewis Rubogonya.

The president General of the National Unity platform, Hon Robert Kyagulanyi said ” Happy to speak on phone with my brother, comrade Bukenya Moses aka Wiser who was released by the military court yesterday, after spending 1 year and 4 months under detention for putting on a People Power beret”.. There shall and must be justice for these crimes against humanity, added Kyagulanyi.

In October 2019 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) designated the red beret and tunic as official military clothing that could land civilians who wear them in jail, essentially banning the uniform of opposition leader Bobi Wine and his supporters.

Uganda’s first ever gazette of all military clothing, states that any member of the public found in possession of the items “is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.”

In the recent past, the UPDF warned civilians against wearing military attire or military-like attire such as camouflage, saying it undermines the law governing the military dress code and could aid terrorism.

Under the laws of Uganda, people cannot wear military attire if they are not part of the army. This directive was given after the army realized that there was increased use of military attire by the public. The act had security implications as some would go masquerade as military personnel. This also goes ahead to undermines the laws governing the use of military attire.

Section 164 (2) of the 2005 UPDF Act 7 permits artists to use the same for Bona fide stage, film, or television production, it can only be done with proper authorization from the army and handed back to its stores after the performance.

Violation of this provision attracts, on conviction, an imprisonment term, not exceeding seven years.

It may seem like the law is dictating what you can and cannot wear.