In fact, Madoi said he had endeavoured to keep a “clean sheet” not to find himself behind bars. Madoi’s startling road to Kasangati prison began on May 13, 2024, at his LA Fashions and Skills Development School in Jokolera village, Kasangati town council, in Wakiso district.
Every Monday, the school is a beehive of activity but on this day, business was slow. On May 12, 2024, the premises had hosted a party for one of the learners, Victory Muteesasira, who had triumphed at Little Miss Africa in Nigeria. The following day was dedicated to cleaning up the place as classes were scheduled for Wednesday.
As a few students worked, Madoi settled in one of the corners of the compound – with a clear view of the entrance – for breastfast. Before he could lift his cup, however, the tranquil atmosphere was shattered by the sound of sirens.
“I saw a convoy of security vehicles and armed officers surrounding the school. They were in all forms of camouflage, plain-clothed, among others,” Madoi recalled.
“I remained calm in my seat as they walked around to check for any back doors. It was a bad scene for my neighbours because their perimeter walls were filled with security officers.”
One of the officers informed him that they were arresting anyone making outfits for the National Unity Platform (NUP) and confiscating camouflage fabrics. Whereas he insisted that he only made paid-or outfits for musician-turned-NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine for his musical shows, the officers were unmoved.
THE SEARCH
Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, the officers ordered the students – six male and three female – to sit in the compound as Madoi was led into a guided search.
“They searched every corner including the ceilings. They threw around things but I was worried that they could plant something harmful without my knowledge. They found one authentic fabric of a friend serving in the US Marine Department. While in Uganda, he had asked me to make some adjustments to it and we agreed that he would pick it soon,” Madoi said.
There were branded camouflage materials with photos of icons like Bob Marley that were confiscated. Security officers proceeded to the workshops and took three electric-powered sewing machines, a press-button machine, a laptop, fabrics for clients and red thread, among other tailoring accessories.
“As a designer for more than 25 years, I can distinguish between authentic security fabric and camouflage meant for civilians. Surprisingly, some of the fabrics that were taken are made by Nytil Uganda and freely purchased by tailors for business.”
After about three hours, Madoi was handcuffed together with four male students and driven to Kasangati police station. The single father-of-three left the premises and his school-going children aged 17 and 14, who had watched everything unfold. His eldest child, a music producer and fashion designer aged 24, was abroad at the time.
According to Madoi, the government “wasted resources” to raid his school which is fully registered with the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT).
“There were about four police pickups, one army pickup, and two tinted private vehicles – all coming for one person. I believe this was a waste of public resources. They should have given me a call or summoned me to the police to respond to any queries because I am a law-abiding citizen,” he said.
LIFE IN POLICE CUSTODY
Madoi and his four students were taken to Kasangati police station where they spent two days. Efforts to secure bond were futile as the officers in charge insisted that they were following “orders from above”.
The group was later driven to Naggalama police station where they spent another two days. It is here that the students were finally released on bond as Madoi proceeded to Kasangati Magistrate’s court. He was charged with possession of “uniforms declared to be for the exclusive use of the military and police.”
While life in police custody was grimy, the proud Afro-fashion magician was glad that he was not subjected to inhumane treatment. Other inmates fondly referred to him as “Designer wa Bobi” which earned him some respect in police cells.
Social media was also awash with messages of support and calling for release for the celebrated designer who has stitched outfits for the late South African reggae icon Phillip Lucky Dube, Jamaican star Busy Signal, Morgan Heritage family, and Jamaican Anthony B, among others.
Madoi’s son has also dressed Jamaican singers Chronixx and Tarru Riley. Ugandan musicians Papa Cidy and the late Mowzey Radio are also graduates of his fashion school.
PRISON ORDEAL
According to Madoi, the most egregious violation of his rights occurred when he was remanded to Kasangati prison from May 17 to June 24, 2024. He was given an old, tattered uniform upon arrival at the prison gates.
“My dignity was abused to the core! The shorts had holes behind, but thanks to my dark complexion, maybe my buttocks were not seen as much. Remember, they don’t allow you to wear boxers or vests inside the prison uniform,” Madoi said, frowning.
“I saw newly-packed, clean uniforms but I don’t know why they chose an old and dirty one for me. The armpits were so smelly that for some good hours, I walked around with outstretched arms – for fear of my skin touching the uniform.”
One prisoner informed him: “Now that you’ve been given one pair, you must wash it while showering and it dries on your body at the same time.”
All hell broke loose when a prison officer later ordered for his dreadlocks, a symbolic and deeply personal part of Madoi’s identity, cultivated for 17 years, to be cut off.
“This was the most heartbreaking moment. The prison officer ordered a prisoner to pour water onto my head and began to cut off my hair using a razor blade. My hair was chopped to the skin as the officer supervised everything. He even ordered for my beard to be cut to the skin yet I was used to simple trimming,” he said, in a low tone.
Madoi said he broke down and cried when the prisoner was further tasked to cut the dreadlocks into small pieces and dump them in the dustbin. Instead, the prisoner packed the long locks in a polythene bag and kept them in a store where Madoi had left his belongings.
“I was impressed by his kindness and I bought for him a small radio when I exited the prison. Whereas some prisoners were ruthless, I am glad that I got a kind one or a barber,” said Madoi, now on a journey to regrow his hair. I asked if he would use the old dreadlocks as extensions.
“The hair is mine but it doesn’t feel natural anymore. I may stitch the locks to a hat and wear it during my stage performances.”
On second thought, he said his hair was saved from being infested by lice that were eating up prisoners on longer sentences due to the poor
living conditions in the wards.
NIGHTMARE IN PRISON WARDS
His ordeal did not end with hair. At night, he endured the harsh conditions of the prison. As a first-timer, he envisioned prison life in movies where beds and beddings were given to prisoners. The moment of truth set in when he was fixed in a small room with more than 50 inmates.
“We used to sleep with people’s feet almost kissing our lips. Some prisoners walked barefoot to the toilet but his feet got close to your mouth at night. When you wake up to ease yourself, your gap is filled up so fast. And, the struggle to find more space on cement is real,” he narrated.
Due to heat caused by overcrowding, most prisoners use the small blankets as pillows or fill mineral water or soda bottles with water to use as pillows at night. “On the first night, I nearly suffocated, because I am asthmatic. I had been briefed that prisoners are not allowed to stand near the door and whoever does so risked being shot. Bravely, I stood at the door to catch some fresh air,” he said.
The following morning, he was relocated to another ward on health grounds, but his entire body was itchy and crawling with lice. “If you are a very picky person, just pray you never go to prison. I saw people with obuwere [scabies], and others with amayute [boils]. One time, we were playing cards and I noticed people deep-scratching their bodies. I jumped out of the game immediately. Imagine someone scratching between their buttocks filled with boils and touching the cards at the same time! It was disgusting!”
He also observed prisoners who never brushed their teeth once for the 38 days he spent in prison.
REFLECTION ABOUT LIFE
As days went by, Madoi accepted his sad reality. He reflected on the charges against him and wondered why some musicians did not stand with him. Madoi has designed outfits for more than 120 Ugandan musicians but was surprised that people like Eddy Kenzo, Phina Mugerwa, Halima Namakula, and Juliana Kanyomoozi, among others, ignored him.
“I hear Bebe Cool saying that he is a grandson and good friend of President Museveni; couldn’t he help me tell his friend that I was innocent?” he asked. “I saw Buchaman, Mr Mosh, Gen Mega Dee, and King Saha demanding my release. It is only Bobi Wine, Nubian Li, Big Eye, and Gen Zabu who checked on me in prison.”
He, however, found solace in the support of his family, the Rastafarian community, and lawyers who fought tirelessly for his release. A teary Madoi took a break of eight minutes to compose himself as he struggled to explain how Bobi Wine stood with him.
“I am not into politics but Bobi is my friend. I have designed for him, he has led me to many people for business and I am grateful that he remembered me. He came with a team of NUP top leaders. At least, the prison got some happiness for the day upon seeing him. It was a heartbreaking but bitter-sweet moment for the two of us.”
After the visit, he was energized to do what he loves best: fashion. He entered the prison’s tailoring department and made several uniforms for prisons officers. Slowly, he became a darling because of his work. He also wanted to donate some sewing machines to the facility to replace their old ones, but the bureaucracy to fulfill this was too much.
RISE TO STARDOM
Madoi has been a trailblazer in the fashion industry. Born to the late Habib Madoi and Aisha Nalweyiso, Madoi’s journey started at Namutebi Nkata nursery school, Kawempe, Kawempe Muslim PS, Masaba SS, Mbale for O-level, and A-level at Nabumali High School.
While at Nabumali in S6, he was suspended for introducing fancy dressing and sought temporary refuge at Mbale SS. He had introduced hats and wristbands that flooded the entire school during sports competitions.
At the time, he also lost his father, a former district Khadi for Mbale, and his mother was unable to fund his studies. The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and his stepmother took on the fees burden. With two funders, he had more money at his disposal; so, Madoi used the extra to buy his first sewing machine at Shs 85,000.
After S6, Madoi did not join university and continued into fashion. He would later enroll at Tiner International School of Beauty on a bursary as he taught other students garment accessories. Upon graduation in 2003, he opened a workshop in a single room in Kawempe and has since grown into the household name he is in fashion.
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