By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: The government of Uganda has refuted allegations Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is being politically persecuted, reason why his music concerts were banned by the police.
Ever since police blocked Bobi Wine’s Easter ‘Kyarenga Extra’ concerts and was brutally arrested, the United States of America has put pressure on the Ugandan government, urging them to desist from persecuting Ugandans and blocking them from exercising their freedom of expression. “Today we join the many Ugandans asking why their government has recently blocked musical concerts and radio talk shows, disrupted peaceful demonstrations and rallies, and deployed heavy-handed security forces against peaceful citizens,” the US statement reads in part. However, in reply to the statements from the United States, Government Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo says that “Save for one artiste, all artistes in Uganda enjoy freedom of performance and the media platforms are as free. Equally all politicians enjoy free access to these media platforms.”
According to Ofwono, all leaders are expected to respect standards set by security agencies, something Bobi Wine does not do. Bobi Wine clashed with police after his Monday Easter extra Kyarenga concert was cancelled by police. Asuman Mugenyi, the Director of Operation Uganda Police Force argued that Kyagulanyi’s previous music concerts held at his One Love Beach fell short of security guidelines. Mugenyi further claimed that Bobi Wine shows have severally turned into a public nuisance, violated traffic rules and regulations and caused other misconducts, which don’t only breach the law but endanger the lives of other people who are not even part of his music events.
Bobi Wine, who claims to be under house arrest currently, had scheduled to address the media at his One Love Beach, Busabala on Monday but was welcomed by heavy security deployment, who arrested and drove him to his home in Magere, Wakiso, where he has since been held. He later addressed the media at his home and announced that he would be walking to police headquarters to deliver a letter notifying authorities of his planned protest but his plans were thwarted after the military and police deployed heavily at his home. In the same vein, the US Embassy questioned government’s motive of blocking rallies and radio shows organised by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the party’s four time presidential candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye in the recent weeks.
