The Gulu Grade I Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 22- year old man to 12 months in jail after he was found in possession of a pair of army uniforms.
According to the prosecution, Opiyo was arrested on the February 17, 2016 after he was found wearing a UPDF uniform.
Court heard that Opiyo with another man identified as David Okoya, 25, were falsely presenting themselves as UPDF officers.
Prosecution told court the pair was manning a road block and extorting money as well as beating people before the police arrested them.
Opiyo admitted to having committed the offence but Okoya the accusations denied.
The Magistrate sentenced Opiyo to 12 months in jail while Okoya was further remanded. He is expected to reappear before the same court on March 23, 2016.
The Police and the army have warned residents including local musicians in Acholi sub region against wearing security officials’ uniform saying they may be prosecuted on arrest.
The UPDF Act 7 of 2005 section 164 (1) (a) and (b) prohibits any person, without authority, from manufacturing, selling, offering or exposing for sale, wearing or using any uniform supplied to or authorized for use by the Defence Forces or any uniform so nearly resembling it.
Violation of the provision attracts, on conviction an imprisonment term, not exceeding seven years.
