Lawyers for a very vocal Ugandan politician Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine say he has been severely brutalized while in custody.
The Musician turned lawmaker is unable to walk and seriously sick since his arrest on Tuesday, according to his lawyers.
He has been reportedly beaten up by security forces while in detention. Other suspects arrested over the same charge of instigating an attack on the country’s President have also suffered similar brutalities.
On Thursday Bobi Wine appeared before a military court martial over charges of instigating an attack on President Yoweri Museveni.
He was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of firearms and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition.
No treason charges
Bobi Wine is no longer facing charges of treason. But other MPs and over 20 of his supporters arrested alongside him are facing that charge.
Bobi Wine @HEBobiwine Court Martial charge sheet. pic.twitter.com/yfhpHyBKS1
— Catherine Byaruhanga (@cathkemi) August 16, 2018
Police said the President’s convoy was attacked in the town of Arua in the country’s northwest on Monday.
One of the vehicles in the convoy had its rear windscreen shattered, according to reports. Bobi Wine was campaigning for independent candidate in the race, Kassiano Wadri.
Wadri who won that election is himself also facing criminal charges and also in detention.
Some of those arrested following the #Arua campaigns are badly injured – Atiku Shaban cannot walk. Two women Night Asara & Jane Abola also hurt. Night Asara was bleeding from her private parts in court. The magistrate ordered they be taken for medical treatment at their own cost. pic.twitter.com/uM9Q0LglP1
— Catherine Byaruhanga (@cathkemi) August 16, 2018
Bobi Wine’s driver was killed in the violent incident. The MP’s family claimed he was rather the target of the shooting incident that claimed the driver’s life.
Eruption of chaos
On Thursday chaos erupted in Bobi Wine’s stronghold town of Kamwokya in the capital Kampala after police feared teargas at his supporters.
Bobi Wine’s supporters were reportedly protesting his arrest and detention but were met by a brutal police force.
Anti-Riot Police deploys more of its men in Kamwokya. Protestors want Bobi Wine released. pic.twitter.com/oUAV7ve2Nk
— #CanaryReports (@canarymugume) August 16, 2018
President Museveni has blamed the stoning of his convoy on “weak management by the police and the criminal behavior of some of the opposition leaders.”
“Some leaders have been acting with impunity … these acts are strongly rejected and will be punished,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile the Ugandan military command has been explaining why Bobi Wine appeared before a court martial.
In a statement the military said the MP has been “remanded till 23rd August 2018”.
Uganda Military Statement on reason why @HEBobiwine is appearing before the military courts. No comment yet on allegations from Bobi Wine’s lawyers that he has been badly beaten whilst in custody. Trying to get a response to that. pic.twitter.com/hrOjX7JOD7
— Catherine Byaruhanga (@cathkemi) August 16, 2018
MP-turned-Musician
Robert Kyagulanyi is a Ugandan celebrated Afrobeats star. He began his music career in the early 2000s and has been singing projecting various issues of national concern.
He has produced songs on issues such as freedom of speech and personal hygiene.
Bobi Wine was elected to parliament as an independent in a by-election in 2017 in Kyadondo East, central Uganda.
He calls himself the “ghetto president” since he stands up for the rights of the underprivileged.
Source: Africafeeds.com
