Dancehall star turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine and his family are still under house arrest. This follows the disputed elections in which long serving President Yoweri Museveni was declared winner with 58.64% of the votes.
Image: Jerome Delay / dpa / AP / Picture Alliance
The elections also saw many Members of Parliament who are part of the ruling party lose their seats to Wine’s NUP candidates. This essentially means that NUP controls the opposition in Uganda’s Parliament.
Museveni’s Claims
On being declared winner, Museveni termed the election as being “the most cheating-free” since the country’s independence in 1962. This is despite the loss of lives that was seen during the Presidential campaigns in December. Uganda also witnessed a social media blackout days before and after the general election.
One would then wonder why someone claiming to uphold free and fair elections would go through the most to stifle free speech. Not cool at all.
Bobi Wine’s Plight
Wine first reported on Twitter of a breaking into his home by military personnel a day after the election results were announced.
We are under siege. The military has jumped over the fence and has now taken control of our home
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 15, 2021
None of these military intruders is talking to us. We are in serious trouble. We are under seige.
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 15, 2021
For a while, his social media admin took over the account and updated the world on the happenings at his home. Bobi and his wife Barbie were running out of supplies in the house.
It’s now four days since the military surrounded our home and placed my wife and I under house arrest. We have run out of food supplies and when my wife tried to pick food from the garden yesterday, she was blocked and assaulted by the soldiers staged in our compound. (ADMIN) pic.twitter.com/MLEtSbyCcW
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 17, 2021
No one was allowed entry into the premises.
Everyone including media and my party officials are restricted from accessing me. @ZaakeFrancis was arrested outside my gate as he made his way to my house, he was badly beaten by soldiers. He is now in Rubaga hospital.
(ADMIN)— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 17, 2021
A few days ago a video surfaced showing Bobi and his wife trying to leave the house to replenish supplies. However, they were harassed and denied from exiting.
@HEBobiwine home arrest @BarbieItungoK attempted to access the home garden for food and they were denied by the military presence. She’s heard telling the police man not to touch her breasts #FreeUganda #FreeBobiWine #freebobicampaignteam ✊ pic.twitter.com/AgGvNbc0zw
— uganda empya (@muwonge08) January 18, 2021
United States Ambassador to Uganda Natalie E. Brown was also denied access into Bobi Wine’s home.
— Bureau of African Affairs (@AsstSecStateAF) January 18, 2021
This afternoon, the US Ambassador to Uganda made an effort to visit me but was turned away from my gate by the soldiers who have held me and my wife captive for the past five days.
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 18, 2021
The ambassador had previously been forced to cancel the US election observer mission. This was after the Ugandan Government had denied the US most of their accreditation requests.
Sadly, I announce 🇺🇸 decision not to observe #Uganda’s elections due to @UgandaEC’s decision to deny more than 75% of our accreditation requests (see https://t.co/QmNqFHQFmg). A robust contingent of observers, including local entities, promotes transparency & accountability. pic.twitter.com/66nV9M52mU
— U.S. Ambassador to Uganda (@USAmbUganda) January 13, 2021
The hashtag #FreeBobiWine has been trending for the better part of the week after the elections. Many from Uganda and beyond are calling for the release of Bobi Wine and his family from house arrest
Bobi Wine shared this emotional post highlighting his family’s predicament. With them is their 18 month old niece who was unfortunately caught up in the mess.
Day Six under house arrest and we're still stuck with an 18 months old baby who had paid a visit to her auntie (my wife ) be4 we were raided & besieged. The Dad has been denied access to her. We have run out of food and milk. No one is allowed to leave or come into our compound. pic.twitter.com/KVLDR3IH6y
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 19, 2021
Brief History of Bobi Wine
Born and raised in Kamwokya slum in Kampala, Bobi Wine rose to fame in the early 2000’s through his music career. His stardom saw him venture into acting as well as in business interests.
Bobi first rose to the political scene in 2017 when he won the parliamentary seat for Kyadondo County East Constituency. He is a fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni whom he says needs to leave for fresh young leadership to take over.
Reactions from World Leaders
Make no mistake to think that Museveni is a popular figure. His antics to cut off Internet connections across Uganda, deny the media entry into the polling stations, and hold Bobi Wine hostage in the guise of ‘protecting him’ only underlines his status as a dictator.
Museveni’s armed forces blatantly threatened to shoot to kill any reckless Ugandans that would behave in an unconstitutional manner during elections. Surely, when will Uganda’s curse of dictators come to an end? Museveni is slowly proving to be no different than the infamous, ill-respected Idi Amin Dada.
Zambia’s president was under fire for congratulating the ageing dictator, with many Kenyans also puzzled as to why President Kenyatta congratulated Museveni.
Clearly, Uganda should borrow a leaf, in fact a tree, from the orderly electoral process witnessed in the US during the elections and Biden’s presidential inauguration.
How long do you think Bobi Wine’s house arrest will last? Do you think Uganda is ready for change? Tell us what you think in the comments section and keep it C.O.K for more updates.
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