MP asked to surrender over alleged military wear in his home

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Police have asked Makindye East Member of Parliament Derrick Nyeko to hand himself in following the alleged recovery of military regalia at his home.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, while addressing the media at the Central Police Station, said they recovered several military wear from Nyeko's home.

“When the operation started on Monday, he was at his home and our intelligence gave us credible information he was inside but he slipped through the backdoor and took off.  He is a wanted man. Since we recovered the items, we have been looking for him. He can report to any nearest Police station or go to Katwe Police,” Onyango said.

“The joint security team after getting a court order to search the National Unity Platform (NUP) offices, shops, and residences and places that we suspected could be having military look-alike attires and equipment. The cordon off and search operation was conducted in various places including NUP offices in Kamwokya, residences of individuals and shops where very many items were recovered and about 10 suspects were arrested,” Onyango added.

He said in the home of Nyeko, they recovered desert military shoes, black Police shoes, an overall resembling that of counter-terrorism: “A search certificate was made and issued to the members of the family who were at his home".

He also explained that they recovered body armor at the NUP offices in Kamwokya: “One Evas Bukenya was arrested. In Jokolera Village, in Wattuba Parish, Nangabo Sub-county in Kasangati Town Council at the Place of work of Latif Madoi, we recovered a one billion note bearing the photo of NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi.”

This operation is still ongoing, Onyango said.

National Unity Platform Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya on Tuesday confirmed security had raided their offices at Kamwokya and the homes of their comrades.

“Up to now, we don't know where the caretaker at Kamwokya is being held. They just want to plant fear in the population,” he added.

I will not be intimidated 

Nyeko on Tuesday said he had written to the defence minister and that of internal affairs to explain the raid at his home. 

“I also reminded them about the procedures to follow in case they wanted an MP to appear before them,” he said.

Nyeko noted that he would not be intimidated.

On May 2, 2024, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, through their 4th Infantry Division Public Information Office, cautioned individuals wearing military outfits bearing UPDF imprints, such as warm suits, jackets, ranger boots, berets, caps, porches, backpacks/camel backs, among others, to cease immediately.

On April 22, 2024, the Uganda Police Force, through the National Police spokesperson, issued a directive to private security organisations, bouncers associations, Political groups, and individuals, who are using Police uniforms and rank insignia (PIPS), stating it’s illegal, and they must stop immediately.

On September 1, 2023, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, through their spokesperson, expressed concern over civilians wearing military insignia, such as berets, lanyards, and clothing, urging them to surrender such items to security authorities and cease usage.