Madoi cleared charges but his biz took a hit

A court dismissed criminal charges against fashion designer Latif Madoi on April 4 after prosecutors failed to proceed with the case. The 47-year-old spent nearly a year fighting allegations stemming from his May 2024 arrest. Armed officers had stormed his fashion school, detaining him and four students. They accused him of making military-style clothes for opposition leader Bobi Wine's supporters.

Madoi admitted designing outfits for the politician but denied political involvement. He spent over a month in prison, where he said guards gave him smelly, torn uniforms. He also had to cut his 17-year-old dreadlocks. The magistrate ordered the return of his bail money and seized property, including fabrics and equipment taken from his school.

The designer claims his business collapsed because of these accusations. He hasn't enrolled any new students since his arrest, as parents fear his connection to the opposition party. His lawyer, George Musisi, called the case political persecution, noting that no witnesses ever appeared in court. They plan to reclaim his million-shilling bail payment and might sue for damages.

Madoi hopes to restart his career away from politics. He emphasized that he works as a designer and teacher, not as an activist.