Uganda: Bobi Wine denied access to lawyers and medical care

“More than 24 hours after his brutal arrest and detention in Nalufenya, Bobi Wine has been denied access to his lawyers and his medical team,” a post on Bobi Wine’s Twitter account said on 19 November. “Only the army and police officers have access to him. All persons of good conscience must condemn the violation of his rights. The regime accuses him of holding big meetings and processions. On the other hand, general [Yoweri] Museveni continues to hire crowds to hold processions and rallies everywhere! The regime is in so much panic. COVID-19 is an excuse.”

The 38-year-old Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulany, was arrested on 18 November while on the presidential campaign trail in Luuka District. Reports said the police had forced him out of his vehicle and taken him to the infamous Nabukenya facility, which is known for the torture of prisoners.

Following the news of the arrest, 16 people were killed and 65 others injured when violence erupted in the capital Kampala. Reports said Bobi Wine’s supporters blocked roads, burnt tires and attacked government vehicles, prompting the police to fire shots and teargas at protesters.

Another candidate who was arrested on the same day as the singer is Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Patrick Amuriat, who is being detained at Gulu Central Police Station in Uganda's Northern Region. As a result, the Alliance for National Transformation's (ANT) Mugisha Muntu has announced the suspension of his campaign until the release of the two presidential candidates.

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

Speaking to Music In Africa, Ugandan musician and activist Maro said: “The dust in the city had settled by yesterday evening but protests continued today. Conversations are also ongoing on social media. The arrests insinuate that the president’s wish is to contest unopposed, but he is unable to do so, as we are a multiparty state.

"With this continued oppression of the other candidates, we cannot rule out the possibility of election rigging. Numbers don’t lie. However, I fully support the COVID-19 guideline, and at this point, I think all physical campaigns should be banned because all candidates are pulling crowds wherever they go, and it’s impossible to control them. We are now in Phase 4 of the pandemic where the rate of infection has gone out of hand.”

Perceived as a threat to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 34-year reign, Bobi Wine has continued to make global headlines since his incarceration and alleged brutal treatment in 2018. So far, celebrities, human rights organisations and politicians, including former Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane in South Africa, have taken to social media calling for Bobi Wine’s release and the fair treatment of presidential candidates.

“I call upon the African Union and its chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to talk to his friends [Zimbabwean President] Emmerson Mnangagwa and Kaguta Museveni, and tell them to comply with the African Charter on Human Rights and People’s Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,” Maimane tweeted.