By RFIPosted on 16-10-2019Modified on 16-10-2019 at 22:49

Ugandan police have detained a dozen supporters of opposition leader Bobi Wine, a figurehead of the "People's Power" movement, since the authorities banned the wearing of the red beret, the symbol of the movement. According to one of their lawyers, they were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly.

Last month, the authorities banned the wearing of the red beret by civilians, saying it was an accessory for the military. Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has made it the symbol of his opposition to President Museveni.

Singer Bobi Wine and his supporters began wearing the red beret when they took to the streets two years ago to try to prevent President Museveni from changing the Constitution to allow him to stay in power.

For the movement, the "Power of the People" , it is a symbol of their resistance to what they consider a military dictatorship. Their beret resembles that of the military police except that its badge represents a raised fist. For the spokesman of the Ugandan army, " all the articles " of the uniforms described in the Official Journal are the exclusive preserve of the military.

For Bobi Wine, this ban on the beret aims to stem the wave of sympathy it arouses in popular circles. " Little by little, the authorities are doing everything they can to declare illegal what I do, and the People's Power movement. I remind you that my songs are forbidden and my concerts banned, because the regime of President Museveni, in power for 34 years, is very, very afraid of the young people who demand accountability, "he said at RFI.

The opponent, who intends to be a candidate for the next presidential election , believes that his supporters have the right to wear a beret, which reads " the power of the people, our power ." According to Bobi Wine, who has himself been arrested several times, it is a question of exercising their rights, even if that might lead them to prison.

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