Artistes resolve to relinquish banned uniforms to Police

Ugandan artistes, prompted by the ongoing clampdown on banned military outfits, have offered to mobilise their colleagues to return the outfits, the Police has revealed.

According to Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, the artistes approached the Police last week and offered to help their colleagues in the industry avoid falling prey in the ongoing clampdown.

"We have given them a chance to do so this week," Enanga said without naming the artistes but New Vision has understood that a number of outfits used by many artistes in the country for performances fall in the banned category.

Enanga added that they are widening their net in the ongoing crackdown to include other members of the public.

"If you have a relative, who has worked for the security forces but has since passed on, please ask their family to hand over those uniforms," he said. "If you have never worked for the security forces, those uniforms are not useful to you and must be handed back to the government."

As an honour to retirees from the security forces, Ugandans who have worked for security forces, including the army, are allowed to keep the uniforms when they leave the force, Enanga said.

Enanga asked the public to return the outfits to the or nearest Police station or army detach.

The development comes days after 83 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) were arrested, and later charged and remanded to Kitalya Prison. 

The crackdown on NUP supporters was conducted in the city suburbs of Kamwokya, Makindye, Kiyembe, Mulago, Bwaise, and Kawempe. The Police said last week that they intended to halt the production of unauthorised uniforms by illegal manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and sellers.

NUP however insists the operations are aimed at frustrating Robert Kyagulanyi's presidential bid.