The European Union and the United States of America have condemned the treatment of a detained MP in Uganda this week.
The very vocal Ugandan politician Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine has been severely brutalized while in custody, according to his lawyers.
The Musician turned lawmaker is unable to walk and seriously sick since his arrest on Tuesday. 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.
Global condemnation
The European Union in a statement on Friday said “The reported brutal treatment of elected members of the Uganda parliament, journalists and civilians, as well as the loss of human life, are very disquieting events.”
“There is no room for repression nor violence in a modern democratic Uganda,” the statement added.
The European Union Delegation, the Heads of Mission of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and UK, and the Heads of Mission of Norway and Iceland issue the following statement in Uganda on the Arua Municipality by-election. pic.twitter.com/yJ82lTwBFs
— EU in Uganda (@EUinUG) August 17, 2018
The United States has also spoken about the development saying “All of those detained have the right to humane treatment, due process, access to lawyers and to their families, and a prompt, fair, and transparent trial. Those who need medical attention should be granted immediate access to a doctor of their choice.”
All of those detained have the right to humane treatment, due process, access to lawyers and to their families, and a prompt, fair, and transparent trial. Those who need medical attention should be granted immediate access to a doctor of their choice.
— U.S. Mission Uganda (@usmissionuganda) August 17, 2018
Bobi Wine charged
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.
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.
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.
The Ugandan military command has said in a statement that the MP has been “remanded till 23rd August 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
