Military fatigues: Case of touchables, untouchables

The raid was a follow-up on the September 18, 2019 Notice No. 1013 of 2019. The notice issued by the UPDF in the Uganda Gazette prohibited members of the public from donning military attire. The notice was anchored on Section 160 of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Act, 2005, subsection 2, part (c). The legislation prohibits non-members of the security forces from receiving, possessing, selling, or delivering any such attire mentioned above, among others.

Fast forward to this week. The legislation is being waved in a manner that NUP has taken exception to as Uganda prepares to go to the polls in 2026.

“We have seen artistes and other members who support the regime donning military attire moving freely and yet the same regime has arrested NUP members claiming that what they are wearing (red berets) is a military uniform,” Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, the NUP party president, told reporters yesterday.

The army was quick to dismiss Bobi Wine’s concerns when contacted by this newspaper yesterday. But for Bobi Wine, whose civilian bodyguard, Achilleo Kivumbi, was, on August 1, 2024, arrested before being charged with possession of defence stores in a military court, his concerns cannot be wished away.

While Mr Kivumbi was granted bail in October, his case was not an outlier. Martin Muwanga, the Nabaziza-Kyengera, Wakiso LC3 Councillor, was remanded to Kityalya prison on February 19, 2024, over possession of military body armour and spent a number of months incarcerated. Before, Mr Hussein Ssebandeke Kato, alias General Gaza, 33, was charged with unlawful possession of defence stores. Gen Gaza was on September 21, 2022, remanded. This followed his arrest from his Kyengera-based home after being found with one pair of Septet desert boots, one pair of jungle boots, a black beret, and a walkie-talkie, which are all gazetted defence stores.

Mr Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, on March 13, last year, revealed in a statement that the Force—in collaboration with UPDF—had arrested five individuals. These included Derrick Nyeko, the Makindye East lawmaker; Geoffrey Katuruntu, a councillor; Waswa Musoke, a shop attendant; Joseph Bukenya, Bobi Wine’s cleaner; and Marvin Biiso, a resident of Namungona.

Mr Onyango further disclosed that the suspects had been found with military attire, which is a gazette of the army. The police spokesperson urged the public to desist from possessing the same since operations.

Earlier, on September 1, 2023, Brig Gen Felix Kulaigye, the Defence information officer, warned civilians against wearing military attire. He said “failure to comply with this warning will invite legal action against the concerned individuals.”

Civilians not immune

Operations against civilians donning military attire have extended to other people who are non-politicians. Last June, four people, who were terrorising Mukono District with a gun and camouflaged uniforms of UPDF, were charged and sentenced to eight years. The sentencing was on November 19, 2024, after they pleaded guilty to the charges.

Mr Jonathan Muhumuza Pyani, a 24-year-old data entrant, was also on October 3, 2022, arraigned and charged before the General Court Martial (GCM). He was consequently remanded to Kitalya Prison on the charge of unlawful possession of defence stores. This included three military walkie-talkies, two pairs of desert boots, one SFC camouflage hat, four military hats, a jacket, a vest, and a t-shirt. Mr Pyani was sentenced to six months in prison.

Mr John Adams Ssentongo, a civilian, was in August 2024 charged with two counts of unlawful possession of defence stores. He was arraigned before the 1st Division Court Martial in Kakiri, chaired by Col. Sam Mugyenyi.

In February 2021, Joachim Elepu, a law student at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States of America, was charged and remanded to Kitalya Prison on charges of unlawful possession of government stores by the former GCM chairman, Lt General Andrew Gutti.

On November 11, 2024, a 62-year-old Congolese national, Pastor David Elonga Baraka, was charged with unlawful possession of one pair of military digital camouflage uniforms.

Jonathan Nzogi, another pastor attached to Cross of Miracle Church Kanyanya in Kampala, was on July 15, 2024, sentenced to three years in prison after he was found guilty by the Makindye-based General Court Martial of illegally wearing a defence forces uniform.

The untouchables

As other people are charged in the court martial over possession of military attire, there is a section of others who don them and go scot-free, and these are mostly artistes. Top city musicians have on several occasions been seen donning outfits related to or real military attire while performing on stage.

These, among others, include Joseph Mayanja, popularly known as Jose Chameleone; David Lutalo; Edrisah Musuuza, alias Eddy Kenzo; Herbert Kityamuweesi, aka Crysto Panda; and Gereson Wabuyi, known by the stage name Gravity Omutujju. Others are Shafik Jjingo, aka Fik Gaza; John Kasadha (John Blaq); Shafik Walukagga, aka Fik Fameica; Pius Mayanja, aka Pallaso; Douglas Mayanja, aka Weasel; Faisal Sseguya, aka Rabadaba; and Patrick Mulwana, also known as Alien Skin, who has recently been seen moving around in military attire and causing troubles.

Brig Gen Kulaigye told Daily Monitor yesterday that they will find and arrest Alien Skin and his colleagues who will be found in military attire because no one is above the law.

A video showing the Independent Magazine founder and journalist Andrew Mwenda in a military plane donning full military attire and vowing to hit ADF rebels went viral in January 2022, with the public accusing the army of showing double standards. Mr. Mwenda, however, got the backing of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the current Chief of Defence Forces.

“...Mwenda is part of the massive fan base that UPDF has because of the great work we do. They want to wear our uniforms, hold our guns, and even pretend to fly our aircraft. It means nothing. They are just excited beings. A victorious army like ours is used to such adoration,” Gen Kainerugaba posted on his official X-platform on January 8, 2022.

NUP, creatives cry foul

NUP party lawyer George Musisi yesterday said this selective implementation of the law by the UPDF is bad. “We have on several occasions called for uniform enforcement of the laws because those people who charge our supporters over alleged possession of military stores do it for political reasons because we have seen on several occasions people wearing military uniforms moving freely.”

Mr. Francis Zaake, the Mityana Municipality lawmaker, said: “It is very unfortunate that the State is applying the law selectively. We see musicians doing military things, in military attire but our supporters are arrested and charged.”

Mr. Charles Batambuze, the vice chairman of the National Cultural Forum, said that many artistes, including musicians and filmmakers, seek to use military fatigues and equipment as costumes and props to enhance their creative works.

“However, accessing authentic military gear remains a significant barrier, with many artistes facing arrests by the SFC and other armed forces, and often resorting to look-alike items with permission from the police,” he said.

He added: “To support artistic expression, we need to explore legal frameworks that allow artistes to access genuine military equipment under regulated conditions. This would provide authenticity to creative projects, promote the growth of Uganda’s film and music industries, represent cultural heritage, and ensure responsible use through proper safety and regulatory guidelines.”

Mr. Hannington Bugingo, the Uganda National Cultural Centre board member, called upon police to come out with clear guidelines with the criteria or process of what creatives go through to put on the camouflage, costumes, and attires for their photoshoots.

“They should tell creatives where they should get permission from because we have witnessed some people walking around free wearing them while others are being arrested. We need guidelines on that,” he said.

What next?
In response, Brig Gen Kulaigye said:
“It is not true that we favour musicians. Why should we elevate them? I want to assure you that UPDF does not apply the law selectively, and we are not arresting anybody on political grounds, that’s not the principles of UPDF; we don’t have that time.”

Buchaman, the self-proclaimed presidential advisor on ghetto affairs, handed over the attires to the Kampala South Police Commander, James Ruhweza, in Makindye.
“We are following the directive to hand over all the military attires that we had. I have been on a mission to collect all military attires from my ghetto people. I want to raise my voice and appeal to all ghetto members throughout the country that we have only one army, called the UPDF,” Buchaman remarked.

The singer also issued an ultimatum of 14 days for anyone in a military outfit to hand it over to the nearby police station or face the wrath of the law.

The law says
Section 160 of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Act, 2005, subsection 2 part (c) prohibits non-members of the security forces from receiving, possessing, selling, or delivering any such attire mentioned above, among others.

Police warning
On May 2, 2024, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), through their 4th Infantry Division Public Information Office, cautioned individuals wearing military outfits bearing UPDF imprints, such as suits, jackets, boots, berets, caps, porches, backpacks, among others, to cease immediately.

On April 22, 2024, the Uganda Police Force issued a directive to private security organisations, bouncers associations, political groups, and individuals using police uniforms and rank insignia, stating it is illegal, and they must stop immediately.

On September 1, 2023, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces expressed concern over civilians wearing military attire such as berets, lanyards, and clothing, urging them to surrender such items to security authorities and cease usage.

The List
Some of the untouchables

1. Joseph Mayanja, aka Jose Chameleone
2. David Lutalo
3. Edrisah Musuuza, aka Eddy Kenzo
4. Herbert Kityamuweesi, aka Crysto Panda
5. Gereson Wabuyi, aka Gravity Omutujju
6. Shafik Jjingo, aka Fik Gaza
7. Patrick Mulwana, aka Alien Skin
8. John Kasadha, aka John Blaq
9. Shafik Walukagga, aka Fik Fameica
10. Pius Mayanja, aka Pallaso
11. Douglas Mayanja, aka Weasel
12. Faisal Sseguya, aka Rabadaba
13. Daniel Kazibwe, aka Raggae Dee
14. Michael Mugwanya, aka King Michael
15. Andrew Mwenda, a journalist

Some of the touchables

1. Muwanga Martin (NUP)
2. Anthony Agaba (NUP member)
3. Achileo Kivumbi (NUP)
4. Hussein Kato, aka Gen Gaza (NUP)
5. Jonathan Muhumuza Pyani (Data entrant)
6. John Adams Ssentongo (ordinary civilian)
7. Joachim Alepu (Law student at the University of Pennsylvania)
8. David Elonga Baraka (pastor)
9. Jonathan Nzogi (pastor)
10. Nyeko Derick, Makindye East MP
11. Geoffrey Katuruntu, a councillor
12. Waswa Musoke Hassan, shop attendant

Some of the military stores

• Desert military shoes
• Police shoes black in colour
• Overalls resembling those of Counter-Terrorism, with the UG flag badge
• Red berets
• Army berets
• Red NUP attires accompanied with police ranks
• Army look-alike trousers
• Military look-alike overalls
• Walkie-talkie branded Alpha Romeo
• Military ponchos
• Army-like Chevrons
• Toy pistols
• Stainless curved sharp metal (army daggers)
• Military badges
• Khaki shirts with star pips
• Khaki trousers
• All dresses with lanyards
• Black cape branded with police wording

What some of the key players say...
“Wearing clothes that appear like an army uniform is not an offence, but the offence is for someone to put on military attire but not something that is similar. What is being done is persecution of the Opposition. I don’t get offended when musicians put on these army uniforms, but what is disturbing is the selective application of the law,” Betty Nambooze, Mukono Municipality MP

“We have on several occasions called for uniform enforcement of the laws because those people who charge our supporters over alleged possession of military stores do it for political reasons because we have seen on several occasions people wearing military uniforms moving freely,” NUP party lawyer George Musisi

“Unfortunately, the State is applying the law selectively. We see musicians doing military things in military attire without any kind of power given to them, but our supporters are arrested and charged.” Francis Zaake MP, Mityana Municipality

“This is our party attire, like any other party having theirs, and we shall not stop putting them on. Even though this government had its attire while in the struggle, it is shameful to say that NUP attire resembles that of the army,” Faridah Nakabugo, Woman MP Aspirant, Bukomansimbi

“This issue is not only discriminatory but has got a political agenda behind it. We need to dig deeper into this issue and discover the actual agenda because they are simply targeting us and our supporters and sabotaging our entire struggle to liberate Uganda,”

Charles Tebandeke, Bbaale County MP

“Many artistes, including musicians and filmmakers, seek to use military fatigues and equipment as costumes and props to enhance their creative works. However, accessing authentic military gear remains a significant barrier, with many artistes facing arrests by the SFC and other armed forces, and often resorting to look-alike items with permission from the police regulatory guidelines,” Charles Batambuze, Vice Chairman, National Cultural Forum

Report compiled by:
Busein Samilu, Juliet Kigongo, & Isaac Ssejombwe