Bobi Wine Arrest: The Aftermath

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Police say sixteen people have now died after the Wednesday protest against the arrest of Uganda’s presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine. His arrest was made known by a tweet from his account which read, “The price of freedom is high but we shall certainly overcome.” The protest which has been ongoing for two days has left more than 65 injured and 350 others arrested.

Bobi Wine, the musician-turned-politician was arrested in Nalufenya, eastern Uganda, for allegedly breaching electoral guidelines that stipulated that a candidate should not have more than 200 supporters at a rally to curb the spread of the corona Virus Disease.

Statement on Bobi Wine arrest

“Despite repeated warnings issued to candidates, their agents, and the wider public about the negative impact and health risks of holding unauthorized rallies and processions, we continue to witness acts of defiance and total disregard of the EC [Electoral Commission] guidelines. Therefore, those who shall defy these Electoral Commission guidelines with their sinister plans aimed at disrupting the electoral process will definitely suffer consequences,” read a statement by the Ugandan police on their official website.

Not a new occurrence

Certainly, this is not the first time Bobi is running against the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, nor is it the first time he is being arrested during his campaign. In the past elections, Bobi Wine has faced similar arrests which have been termed as misuse of the police force. Last year, he was charged with inciting violence with the intent to harm the president.

A group of his supporters who were escorting him through the streets of Kampala was also arrested earlier this month. The incident followed his clearance by the Ugandan electoral commission to run in the 2021 elections. Police and the military have consistently disrupted his rallies since he outwardly put his intentions to remove President Yoweri Museveni from power.

Reason for the Protests

Immediate release of their presidential candidate is what Wine’s supporters are demanding. His lawyers say that he is yet to be charged, a fact that has raised eyebrows and caused suspicion on the matter.

“More than 24 hours after his brutal arrest and detention in Nalufenya, Bobi Wine has been denied access to his lawyers and medical team! Only the army and police officers have access to him. The violation of his rights with impunity must be condemned by all persons of a good conscience,” read a tweet from Bobi Wine’s tweeter account.

Heavy police presence accompanied by the burning of tyres and blockading of roads has been witnessed since Bobi’s arrest. The business community has also been forced to shut down their businesses.

Support from other Opposition Presidential Candidates

Mugisha Muntu, one of the Ugandan presidential candidates, showed his support for Bobi Wine through his Twitter platform.

His tweet read, “We have decided to pause our presidential activities until our colleagues, Bobi Wine and Patrick Amuriat are released and their freedom to campaign guaranteed. We call upon the government to recognize that this isn’t business as usual”

Retired army generals, Mugisha Muntu and Henry Tumukunde, also called upon the police to end violence against the presidential candidate.

Government’s take

Ofwono Opondo, the government spokesman, termed the police response as appropriate. He pointed the accusing finger to the demonstrators for not using “peaceful methods” to raise and “resolve” their concerns legally.