Kampala, (UG):- Police in Kampala have arrested Makindye East Member of Parliament, Hon Derrick Nyeko alongside four other supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) for being in illegal possession of army uniform and other military wear.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango confirmed the development in a Monday statement saying the NUP legislator and the four others who include a cleaner at Robert Kyagulanyi’s home in Magere are currently in police custody pending court appearance.
Police identified the four other suspects as Katuruntu Geoffrey, a Councillor in Makindye Division, Waswa Musoke Hassan, 18, a shop attendant in Wandegeya, Bukenya Joseph, 32, a cleaner at Bobi Wine’s home in Magere and Biiso Marvin, 18, a phone cover seller in Namungoona.
The intelligence-led operation that led to their arrest was conducted after police and other security agencies secured a court order with which they cordoned off offices, residences, and shops of NUP party supporters, among others in Wandegeya, Kamwokya, and other parts of Kampala.
This comes days after the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces on May 2, 2024, through their 4th Infantry Division Public Information Office cautioned individuals wearing military outfits bearing UPDF imprints, such as warm suits, jackets, ranger boots, berets, caps, porches, backpacks/camel backs, among others, to cease immediately.
The warning by the army came just weeks after police had on April 22, 2024, issued a directive to Private Security Organizations, Bouncers Associations, Political groups, and individuals, who are using Police uniforms and rank insignia (PIPS), stating it’s illegal, and they must stop immediately.
Mr Onyango says upon a search at Hon Nyeko’s house, security recovered desert military shoes, police shoes black in colour, and an overall resembling that of Counter Terrorism, with the UG flag badge.
At Katuruntu Geoffrey’s premises, a red Beret was recovered while at Tushemera Monica’s house, they recovered several red berets, and red NUP attires accompanied by police ranks, while at Ronnie Gun’s shop, one live PK bullet, four (04) army look alike trousers, two (02) military look-alike overalls, three army look-alike berets, one walk talkie branded alpha Romeo, one military poncho, two military look-alike berets, six (06 )army like Chevrons, and fake counterfeit dollars of 23 bundles of 20 notes.
“Two (02 )toy pistols, one stainless curved sharp metal, two( 02) military badges branded on the auxiliary police department, seven (07) khaki shirts with star pipes, eight (08)khaki trousers, three dresses with lanyards, one black cape branded with police Nationale wording and four (04) sewing machines were also recovered,” Mr Onyango said, adding that the suspects are now being processed for court.
“The public is urged to surrender these items to local authorities, the police, District/Division Internal Security Organisation (DISO), or the nearest UPDF unit,” the KMP mouthpiece added.
Police said the operation against civilians holding military wear and equipment will extend to other parts of the country.
On April 22, 2024, the Uganda Police Force, through the National Police Spokesperson, issued a directive to Private Security Organizations, Bouncers Associations, Political groups, and individuals, who are using Police uniforms and rank insignia (PIPS), stating it’s illegal, and they must stop immediately.
On September 1, 2023, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, through their Defence Spokesperson, expressed concern over civilians wearing military insignia, such as berets, lanyards, and clothing, urging them to surrender such items to security authorities and cease usage.
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