Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has dismissed claims of selective arrests based on the wearing of red berets, asserting that she has observed Members of Parliament openly wearing the distinctive headgear without facing legal repercussions.
Her remarks follow concerns raised by Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi regarding the perceived inconsistency in law enforcement actions.
During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, Ssenyonyi criticized what he labeled as hypocrisy within the Army’s application of the law, highlighting instances where Opposition supporters faced extended jail time for donning red berets.
He contrasted this with the relatively lenient treatment received by National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs Lilian Aber and Peter Ogwang, who were photographed wearing uniforms resembling those of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Addressing Ssenyonyi’s concerns, Prime Minister Nabbanja emphasized that she had witnessed numerous individuals, including MPs, sporting red berets without encountering legal repercussions.
She specifically referenced Ssenyonyi himself, questioning whether he had ever faced arrest despite regularly wearing the beret.
Nabbanja further defended the actions taken against Lilian Aber, stating that the Army had addressed the issue promptly and that Aber had subsequently apologized for her actions. Nabbanja suggested that Aber may not have been aware of the implications of wearing the uniform at the time.
“When she (Lilian Aber) put on that uniform, she was put to order and that is why some of you knew came to know of it. This issue was handled by the army and I believe the army has already given a statement but Lilian Aber apologized, preferably maybe she didn’t know, but now she knows,” said Nabbanja.
She added: “The issue of berets, I always see people putting them on and I haven’t seen anybody arrested, including MPs here, I see you putting them on, but I haven’t seen anybody being arrested, even Ssenyonyi is usually on berets, have you ever been arrested? Have you ever been arrested?” he questioned
In response to Ssenyonyi’s assertion that certain individuals had been imprisoned for several years merely for possessing red berets with insignias associated with the People Power movement,
Nabbanja reiterated the Army’s position that such attire resembled UPDF uniforms, hence constituting a legal offense.
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