People wearing red outfits like caps and T-shirts idolising the ‘People Power’ political movement in Lamwo District, risk arrest.
Lamwo District Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr James Nabinson Kidega has directed police to confiscate the outfits and arrest those found wearing them.
Mr Kidega says that such attires are linked to a “combative conduct” which easily incites violence and lawlessness.
He says People Power activists led by young professionals with the help of some mainstream opposition political actors are destabilising “peace, security and stability consolidated by the ruling National Resistance Movement party”.
Mr Eliau Osega, the Lamwo District Police Commander confirmed receiving the directives from Mr Kidega.
However, Mr Osega said, implementing such a directive is close to impossible since it would be wrong to place charges against people because of their dress code unless they have committed a crime.
Mr James Ochola, a human rights activist and political commentator in Lamwo District said the RDC’s is out of order because Ugandans have a right to dress the way they want.
“Really, how do you dictate on the way people should dress most especially the choice of colours?
He [RDC] should concentrate on security matters not on dress codes,” Mr Ochola said on phone.
People Power political movement was popularised by Afro-beat artist and Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, to advocate for change in Uganda’s political leadership.
Proponents of the movement, that has made the ruling National Resistance Movement uncomfortable, argue that Ugandans live in fear and under a yoke of repression, which explains why they chose to use the red colour which represents blood which flows in the veins of marginalised and forgotten Ugandans.
In his September 2018 address to the nation, President Yoweri Museveni described People Power activists as economic saboteurs.
By Daily Monitor
