Gen. Muhanga warns NUP supporters of military court trials over red attire;

Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, head of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Forces, has warned supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Bobi Wine.

Speaking recently, Gen. Muhanga criticized NUP supporters for wearing red overalls and berets, and for behaving like soldiers. He said anyone acting like a soldier might be treated like one and face military courts instead of civilian courts.

"You wear these strange red clothes and pretend to be soldiers. Tomorrow, if you get guns, do you think we will just take you to a civilian court?" Gen. Muhanga asked.

His warning came after videos appeared online showing NUP supporters marching and doing drills similar to military training.

The UPDF says civilians acting like soldiers must be treated as military suspects to protect Uganda’s peace and security. Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, UPDF’s spokesperson, explained that activities like army-style parades and drills are dangerous and cannot be ignored.

These statements have angered Bobi Wine and his NUP party. They accuse the government of trying to silence opposition by using military courts, which are often seen as unfair for civilians.

NUP members argue that wearing red clothes and marching does not make them criminals.

Tensions rose further after the recent arrest of lawyer and NUP supporter Eron Kiiza inside the Makindye General Court Martial. Though his case was later moved to the High Court, it raised fresh concerns about justice and human rights.

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Some NUP supporters who were previously tried in military courts said they were forced to plead guilty under threats of very long jail terms.

Despite the criticisms, the government insists that military courts are necessary to stop any group that looks like it is forming a private army. Officials maintain that their actions are not against political views, but are aimed at protecting national security.