Bobi Wine wants human rights protection for Ugandans

In a Facebook statement, the singer, who is in the US for specialised treatment, said he had read and was satisfied by the commission’s report, which highlighted how he was tortured during his arrest and detention at Makindye Military Police Barracks by the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).

“I am thankful that the UHRC made a report which I later read,” he said. “At least it captured, in part, the state in which they found me. As the government agency mandated to fight human rights violations, I am eagerly waiting to see what actions they will take to ensure that no Ugandan is taken through this ever again.”

In the post, Bobi Wine gave a detailed account of the physical abuse he suffered at the hands of the military in August. He said he was severely beaten and that his genitals were struck and pulled using various objects.

“They beat me, punched me and kicked me with their boots,” he wrote. “No part of my body was spared. They hit my eyes, mouth and nose. They hit my elbows and my knees. Those guys are heartless! Up to now, I cannot understand how these soldiers who I probably had never met me before in person could hate me so much.”

The singer said the army had initially denied him visitation rights and did everything possible to ensure that he looked physically fit during his court hearing. 

“A day or two at Makindye, this guy was candid. He told me it was in my interest to eat well, take in all the medicine and look better by the 23rd or else they would not allow the press to see me and I would be remanded again until I was presentable enough.

“At night on two occasions, I was put into military vehicles and driven to Kampala Imaging Centre for scans. I could not object or even ask questions. It was clear they wanted me to appear in better shape at the next time of my court appearance and they did everything possible to achieve that.”

However, army spokesperson Richard Karemire distanced the UPDF from the singer's allegations and promised to investigate the matter instead. 

“We don’t torture people," he said. "If what Bobi Wine alleges in the statement is true, our investigations will unearth it, and make no mistake, every officer will be individually held accountable.”

Meanwhile, Bobi Wine was on Tuesday named among the top 100 most influential young Africans by the Africa Youth Awards. He shared the honour with fellow East African artist Alikiba.