Rubongoya charged with wearing beret resembling military attire, out of detention

Police has released National Unity Platform (NUP) secretary general Lewis David Rubongoya on bond after he spent hours in detention.

Security officers stormed NBS TV offices in Naguru late October 22 night to arrest Rubongoya.

A former ally of incumbent President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni, Rubongoya had was a guest on NBS Frontline.

He appeared on the show donning a red beret just over a week since police and military raided NUP offices in Kamwokya, Kampala over the controversial wear.

Police drove Rubongoya to Kira Road Police Station.

The youthful NUP administrator has now been charged with being in possession of material resembling military attire.

But Rubongoya insisted police was playing politics, reiterating that nobody would stop NUP supporters from donning the beret.

He insisted the beret was not a military attire.

He added that his arrest should not shock anyone because it was an act meant to intimidate him to leave the struggle.

Democratic Party president general Norbert Mao stood surety for Rubongoya. Police ordered the NUP secretary to report to the station on October 26.

“Obviously this was not about the red beret but rather what it represents: the discontent of a generation!” said Mao.

“The answer is not arrests, brutalizations or persecution but a response to the discontent and redress of the wrongs.”