Kampala, Uganda | URN | The National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine on Monday 15, March 2021 was arrested in downtown Kampala while leading a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of hundreds of his supporters who went missing after they were arrested during and after the January 14 election.
Bobi Wine and several members of the NUP were heading to the City Square to protest against the continued abduction, arrest and alleged killing of opposition supporters.
The army took over the city security with several combat vehicles seen patrolling the streets, and sharpshooters taking positions on top of city buildings.
Why is Bobi Wine protesting?
Robert Kyagulanyi, a musician-cum-politician recently announced that he would lead peaceful demonstrations to challenge the abduction of NUP supporters, the trial of civilians in military courts, and the outcome of the January 14 presidential election which gave President Yoweri Museveni victory against 10 other candidates.
Mr Kyagulanyi claims he won the election by 54.19 per cent ahead of Museveni, who was instead given 58.38 per cent of the total votes cast and Kyagulanyi 35.08 per cent.
Last week, he said it had been 70 days since authorities arrested all of his campaign team members in Kalangala, Central Uganda.
He reported that thousands of his supporters were in arbitrary detention, calling for their release.
Mr Kyagulanyi has since called on Ugandans to take to the streets to protest the outcome of the results, and what he calls the oppressive government of Museveni.
“I call upon you to rise up peacefully, unarmed and demonstrate against a regime that has oppressed us,” he said.
On Monday 15, March 2021 afternoon, Mr Kyagulanyi accompanied by the Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, Muhammad Segirinya, the MP-elect of Kawempe North, and Derick Nyeko from Makindye East, among others, marched to the city, prompting a fleet of boda-boda riders following them.
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However, these were intercepted around the Mabirizi Complex by anti-riot police and Field Force Unit personnel and taken to the Central Police Station (CPS).
During the scuffle, the police fired teargas and bullets to disperse the gathering crowds. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said that Bobi Wine was arrested with nine other people over protests.
By press time, Mr Kyagulanyi has since been driven back to his home in Magere, Wakiso district.
