Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, more commonly known as Bobi Wine, has been arrested upon his return to Uganda from a foreign trip, as confirmed by a senior official from his political party.
A photograph accompanying the report depicted two individuals seizing the opposition chief by the arms on the tarmac at Entebbe International Airport.
David Lewis Rubongoya, the General Secretary of Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP), conveyed the distressing news, stating, “Our President (Bobi Wine) was detained by government operatives immediately upon his arrival at the airport,” in a communication posted on X, previously known as Twitter.
Bobi Wine’s supporters had intended to gather en masse to escort him to his residence north of the capital, Kampala, to welcome him back, but law enforcement authorities had declared such gatherings as unlawful.
“Our President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu picked off the tarmac upon arrival at Entebbe Airport. Taken to an unknown destination!” Bobi Wine’s account posted.
Last month, the Ugandan police issued a ban on rallies organized by the National Unity Platform throughout the country, citing concerns related to public order.
The musician stands as a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s administration and has encountered multiple arrests and allegations of human rights violations in the past.
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In the 2021 presidential election, he mounted an unsuccessful bid against Museveni, who is presently serving his sixth term in office.
Police warn Bobi wine supporters ahead of his return
Last week police issued a stern warning to supporters of Bobi against unlawful gatherings as he returns from Canada.
This was after reports emerged that National Unity Platform (NUP) party leaders were mobilizing supporters from different parts of Uganda to gather at Entebbe International Airport and along the major roads to welcome their party boss.
Bobi Wine’s return was set for Thursday, September 5 from his international mobilization tours in South Africa and Canada.
