Latif Madoi, a prominent Ugandan designer, remains in Kasangati prison a month after his arrest during a police raid on his fashion academy.
His dreadlocks, which he cherished as part of his Rasta identity cultivated over 17 years, were forcibly cut upon his imprisonment, leaving him “depressed,” according to his lawyer George Musisi.
Madoi faces charges related to possessing garments deemed illegal under Ugandan law, including items resembling military uniforms.
The arrest has sparked outcry on social media under the hashtag “#FreeLatif,” with supporters including opposition leader Bobi Wine criticizing what they perceive as political persecution.
Madoi, known for his revolutionary designs and mentoring young designers, will appear in court on June 24 for a bail hearing amid ongoing controversy over the raid and subsequent charges.