The Chief of Defence Forces in the UPDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has ordered security agencies to arrest National Unity Platform and other opposition supporters who put on military-like attires.
“I give permission from today, all security agencies to arrest on the spot any NUP or other opposition groups wearing anything resembling a military uniform,” Gen Muhoozi said on his X.
Gen Muhoozi gave the directive hours after returning to X which he had left a few days ago.
In the latest directive, he said security personnel to fail to implement it will face consequences.
“And those who do not respect this order… have their own problems.”
Security has in the past arrested NUP supporters, for specifically donning red berets.
Many of them have been arraigned before the General Court Martial and charged with unlawful possession of military/ government stores.
Section 170(2) of the Penal Code Act says that any person who, without the authority of the persons upon whose application an order under this section has been made, uses or wears any uniform, badge, button or other distinctive mark described in the order, or any uniform, badge, button or another distinctive mark so closely resembling the same as to lead to the belief that it is a uniform, badge, button or another distinctive mark so described, commits a misdemeanour.
However, there have been voices expressing concern over the manner in which this section of the law is being selectively applied to target only opposition supporters and leaving out others.
Many say that several musicians, especially those pro-government have been seen in the public donning military-like attire but none has never been arrested.
Many names like Patrick Mulwana alias Alien Skin, Eddy Kenzo and others have been mentioned to have been seen on several occasions donning military attire but nothing is done to them, unlike their opposition leaning colleagues.
This matter has since been referred to as a case of touchables on one side and the untouchables on the other.