Achileo Kivumbi, the head of security at the National Unity Platform (NUP) party and bodyguard to the party leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, has been denied bail by the General Court Martial and he has been remanded until September 24, 2024.

While speaking to members of the press at the Makindye General Court Martial premises on September 2, 2024, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi called for Kivumbi’s hearing date to be brought forward so that he can be granted bail and gets medical attention.

“I have seen Achileo and he is sick and still has injuries; what we are working on with his lawyers is for him to be put on the list of those to appear in court for bail hearing but today court has told us his bail hearing will be on September 24, 2024, which is very far because we needed him to get medical attention,” Ssenyonyi said.

Read Also: NUP’s Bobi Young Arrested over Illegal Possession of Security-Alike Attires

According to prosecution, Kivumbi, 42 years, was in possession of a pair of pips, reserved for UPDF Lieutenant Colonel, at his residence in Nansana East 2B Zone in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district.

“Kivumbi, on August 3,2024, while at Nansana East II B zone in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district was found in unlawful possession of a pair of pips for the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, the said pops being gazetted by defence stores,” the charge sheet read.

The UPDF Act of 2005, Section 160, Part 2, prohibits non-members of the security forces from using military attire or costumes, which include warm suits, jackets, ranger boots, berets, caps, porches, weapon sling belts, and back packs, among others.

The Uganda Gazette under General Notice No. 1013 of 2019, dated September 18, 2019, also issued a notice describing and prohibiting members of the public from wearing military materials and decorations or so nearly resembling them.