Kampala City had been quiet this year, thanks to Covid-19!

The City woke up to a surprise on Wednesday when police and the army stormed the National Unity Party NUP offices in Kamwokya.

As all eyes were at Kamwokya, there were more troops sent to the Central District Business Centre.

Security raid saw several caps, overall, t-shirts taken away from traders in the city centre
Security raid saw several caps, overall, t-shirts taken away from traders in the city centre

They were armed with door cutting equipment and teargas trucks.

The target was the red berets, t-shirts and overalls, which the police had ordered NUP people desist from printing and wearing.

Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, UPDF spokesperson explained the raid in a tweet last night: “Due to continued illegal use of military and police stores and other military/police patented designs, a joint operation is on going to recover the same from the public.
Army Spokesperson Brig. Gen Flavia shared a tweet to explain the raid on NUP offices and shops in the city
Army Spokesperson Brig. Gen Flavia shared a tweet to explain the raid on NUP offices and shops in the city
All in possession of such items are encouraged to voluntarily return them.”

Government in September last year banned People Power supporters from wearing the red beret which they say is designated as official military clothing that could land members of the public who wear them in jail.

Then UPDF mouthpiece Richard Karemire at a news conference at the Media Centre warned: “The dress code for the UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Force) has been gazetted.

The action was endorsed by the top organs of the army which also commended the dress committee for concluding the task assigned to it years back.”

At Kamwokya Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine was addressing the media and his following when security stormed his party premises.

NUP party President Robert Kyagulanyi told media that important documents were taken away from his office during the raid
NUP party President Robert Kyagulanyi told media that important documents were taken away from his office during the raid

Kyagulanyi, who is contesting for President in 2021, had to cut short his address and leave the premises.

With a couple of his executive, they fled the party offices allowing police and the army to proceed with their activities.

Bobi Wine explained the extent of the raid: “The military and police just raided our head office in Kamwokya. They have broken into offices and taken away valuable documents and other items. Some comrades have been injured.”

It was tense as the police went from office to office fishing out caps, overalls and t-shirts. Those found to resist security were rounded up and driven away.

The mission at the People Power offices left business at the nearby trading centres and traffic paralysed.

Police and the army then raided city shops making and selling NUP outfits and had many rounded up and taken to different police stations for detention.

The raids covered Luwum Street, Nasser Road, Kiyembe Lane, Dustus Street and Wilson Road among other places.

Bobi Wine had announced this week he was expected to open party offices in 34 districts in the country.