A 24-year-old Rwandan woman has been sentenced to two years in prison for “public indecency” after “shameful” dressing.
Liliane Mugabekazi was arrested on Sunday, August 7 after wearing a sheer dress to a concert by famous French musician Tayc, eight days earlier.
“She attended the concert while wearing clothes that reveal her private parts… clothes that we call shameful,” said a prosecutor who accused her of committing a “serious crime”, according to NTV Uganda.
“It is on these serious grounds that we ask the court to remand Mugabekazi for 30 days. She is suspected to have committed public indecency,” said Faustin Nkusi, spokesman for the prosecution, adding that the court would decide whether she would be granted bail on Tuesday.
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Some Rwandans were infuriated by the news, but government officials, including former Justice Minister Johnston Busingye, supported it.
Last week, police spokesman of Rwanda John Bosco Kabera condemned “immorality and indecency among young people” in a television interview.
“This problem is escalating… you find an individual wearing only a shirt only… without pants or shorts. These people then go to public places dressed like that, with clothes that look like nets,” said John.
When questioned whether such people don’t have a right to dress as they please, he said, “The first right is to dress well, not dressing indecently.”
Aside from Liliane, countless Rwandans have violated the country’s strict indecency laws in recent years.
Five months ago, a 20-year-old woman was arrested for “public drunkenness and indecent assault” after a video of her lying on the ground in an alcoholic stupor made rounds on social media.
