Uganda: Presidential candidate Bobi Wine denied access to hotels and spends the night on the street.
By: Roland Cunningham
Tags: Bobi Wine, Uganda, Uganda Is Bleeding, Police Brutality

One of the stated victims of Uganda security shooting said to be shot point blank at his place of work

Supporters swim through a swamp to see Bobi Wine after being blocked by Ugandan security outfits

It all intensified on Wednesday 18th November 2020, when Bobi Wine was brutally arrested, while addressing a campaign crowd of supporters in the Eastern central district of Luuka not far from Jinja the source of river Nile.

Bobi wine had earlier spent over seven days campaigning across the northern part of the country visiting three districts in a day, due to the short time table imposed by the highly criticised Electoral commission. The commission is accused of not being in control of the electoral process.

A day earlier in Tororo a ruling party officer called Tanga Odoi, was accused of blocking Bobi Wine’s campaign. In a tweet an NUP spokesperson stated that, ‘It appears police is now under the command of a one Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairman. The impunity in this country is so sickening. We need A New Uganda!’

Another official, a woman called Kasule Lumumba, is alleged to have stated that, “The moment Bobi Wine comes back in Kampala, he should be detained and not allowed to move anywhere,” Kasule advises. “If he has managed to get all those people upcountry where we all expected that he had no support now what will happen in Kampala?,” she asks.

In the past Kasule Lumumba was widely quoted and stated to have said that the ‘State will kill your children’.

Justine Kasule Lumumba(left) Tanga Odoi(right) whose actions and statements have drawn strong wide condemnation

Crowds during Bobi Wine Campaign in Kotido, Karamoja, on the NE border with Kenya

Bobi Wine in a Van after he was brutally abducted under Frank Mwesigwa(below)

There were immediate spontaneous protests across the country which were responded to by killings, mass arrests (including some journalists and one was sprayed with pepper spray directly in the eyes) use of live bullets by the Ugandan Army, (UPDF) in concert with unknown persons, in civilian attire carrying guns, police and paramilitaries, some of whom were shooting randomly into crowds and in buildings.

Bobi Wine weeks earlier had been officially nominated, by the electoral commission on 3rd November 2020 as the official NUP candidate. While still on the premises he was violently attacked with his body guards and aides by a group led by a man called Agume(in picture below).

International condemnation

The United Nations, the United States and other entities condemned the jailing, violence and killing of innocent civilians. ‘’Political parties, actors and government leaders should work in a way that will ensure a peaceful election,’’ said Stephane Dujarric while addressing the press.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said the Ugandan government should respect domestic rights and stop brutality against her citizens.

Joseph Borrell, who doubles as the European Commission Vice president, said the loss of life in violent incidents in Uganda is saddening.

The United States

The United States’ Tibor Nagy @AsstSecStateAF, Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs in a tweet stated that, ‘The Ugandan lives lost this week and the resulting suffering of their loved ones was needless and avoidable. Ugandans deserve peaceful, credible and inclusive elections. (1/2) The United States deplores the violence that has claimed multiple lives today, and we extend our sympathy to the victims’ families and loved ones. We urge all parties to renounce violence, undertake good-faith measures to reduce tensions, and respect fundamental freedoms.

12:11 AM · Nov 21, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

@AsstSecStateAF The violence, intimidation, arrests and the use of force against the political opposition this week undermines the right of all Ugandans to free and fair elections. We are watching and will weigh consequences for those responsible for violence and election irregularities. (2/2)’

Anonymous

An online international group called anonymous claims to have taken down the official Ugandan police force website. In a tweet, it stated, Anonymous@YourAnonCentral Nov 20 #Uganda: Anonymous has taken down @PoliceUg‘s website in response to recent violent government repression & killings. Anonymous calls for police to respect human lives & the freedom of peaceful assembly and protest. #UgandaIsBleeding #ugandanlivesmatter’

Ugandan Civil society, clergy and lawyers

In signs of increasing chorus of strong condemnation, there was uniform condemnation of the killings and shootings of civilians by Ugandan security personnel and paramilitaries. The church clerics in a summon called the events on the 18th Nov.2020 a violation of the Ugandan Constitution and questioned whether this was an attempt to subvert a free and fair election.

African Leaders

Chamisa, a critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, called out President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is seeking to extend his rule to four decades for entrenching his ‘dictatorial habits’ in Uganda.

‘’Dictatorship must go, young people must save and serve Africa. Real change is unstoppable, #PeoplePower,’’ read the tweet by Chamisa.

Uganda’s Kizza Besigye called for the release of Bobi Wine, urging the people to remain firm and take actions to end ‘captivity’.

His South African counterpart, Mmusi Maimane called upon the African Union chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa to urge his Ugandan counterpart, President Museveni to comply with the African charter on human and people’s rights and African Charter on democracy, elections and governance.

Uganda’s General Mugisha Muntu who is also a Presidential candidate with the Alliance for National Transformation party has paused his campaign activities until Bobi Wine is released and his freedom to campaign guaranteed.

Mwesigwa who led the violent bundling of Bobi Wine on the 18th 11 2020 in Luuka district

Bail Hearing

Agume who led the violent arrest of Bobi Wine on his presidential nomination day 3 .11 .2020

EC Chair Byamukama who is faulted for not being in control of the electoral process and not explicitly condemning the killings and violence against unarmed civilians by Ugandan Security outfits

When presented in court, two days later, Bobi Wine stated that, ‘I am not here because I committed a crime. I am here because I offered myself to lead Ugandans into ending 35 years of a dictatorship’, Today outside a court after being released he added that he is sad due to the killing of 37 people and arrests of around 500 who are still in Jail across the country. He made direct remarks that despite the killings, beatings they will carry on their quest to what he called the liberation of the country.

The court set conditions to 200 people in a campaign rally and procession not allowed before or after the campaigns. There are however has been strong criticism of the conditions set by the court as themselves illegal and designed to constrain the political campaign process and in contradiction of the freedom of association and expression. Other critics point to the incumbent party’s unfettered and unrestrained campaign processions without social distancing. Pointing out that the reason Bobi Wine’s rallies and his supporters are being attacked, is because of the huge support he attracts all over the country adding that the police appears more needlessly deadly than the Covid19 pandemic.

Speaking outside the court, after being released, Bobi wine was flanked with his legal team, spokesperson and spouse and scores of supporters who broke out into a song as they entered their cars.

In other developments on the same day, residents of the southern area of Kalungu demanded the immediate release of their NUP supporters who had neither been brought to court or given bail.

Mr Nsubuga PC Chief in southern Uganda area of Kalungu who warned opposition supporters not to test ugandan security

Mr Byamukama Uganda Electoral Commission, a lawyer, Chair accused of not being in control and failure to explicitly condemn the killings of innocent civilians by the Uganda Security persons some of whom were firing randomly including at civilians who were in their own premises or places of work.

Fred Enanga Police Spokesperson who is again under fire from social media for his statements about the senseless loss of lives under Ugandan security persons. He simply described the estimated 45 persons killed(admitted to date) as ‘unfortunate’. In the past he has been strongly criticised for covering up police misdeeds despite publicly available evidence. Among other things as describing the drone outside Bobi Wine’s house as a ‘star’

In response, the local police chief, Nsubuga chief indicated that those who test the resolve of the security services will face tough action.

Meanwhile in a press conference,Gen. EllyTumwine, a senior former army commander and bush war confidant of the 76 yr old incumbent, was widely condemned for his comments to the media that appeared to explicitly condone the killing of unarmed civilians.

Bobi wine returned home to the jubilation of supporters and well wishers.

He paid tribute to the deceased and those who have remained firm and pledged to continue with their campaigns.

On Sunday, 22 Nov. 2020, he attended prayers and was again followed by Ugandan security to his home in Magere village, followed by supporters who mobbed him outside his home.

Later, on Monday, 23rd November 2020, Bobi Wine tweeted that, ‘This morning we’re scheduled to be in Kyegegwa district. The police arrested many of our team members throughout the night. This morning, they have cancelled the venue which we booked to address our people from & are asking us to look for another venue!’

He later added, that, ‘in Kyenjojo, blocked from accessing town. Taken to a place deep in the village. We’re followed everywhere by teargas trucks, police pick-ups with soldiers, mini-buses which effect arrests etc. All meant to scare people, but PEOPLE are refusing to submit!’

Increasingly, opposition leaders, are claiming that the police are part of the the ruling government who cant be impartial in some cases alleging that the support is a explicit.

A statement put out stated that, ‘Summary of Uganda’s problem! An RDC (who is a public servant), has Museveni’s poster in the background & is ordering security on how to deal with the opposition. The same people are always organising rallies & processions for Gen. Museveni! Gives us more reason for LIBERATION’.

Bobi Wine was also blocked by police in Fort Portal and Kasese town where there was more blood shed. In Kasese police fired tear gas and bullets at crowds who were merely waving at Bobi Wine a distance from the road.

A young man and woman were maimed by the police shooting.

In a tweet, about the incident Bobi Wine stated that , On reaching the station, management informed us they got orders from Lt. Gen. Mbadi not to host us or they would face repercussions! WE SHALL OVERCOME!’.

Left Bobi Wine; Right Lt.Gen.Mbadi

In other developments socia media is alleging that local known ‘ gangster’-SOBI’ ( picture above) is trailing and threatening Bobi Wine supporters.

Other images show persons in civilian and outfit and motorbikes welding guns and shooting randomly during the protests.

After Kasese Bobi Wine continued to Bundibugyo where he held another rally.

Local reports indicate that the police ordered Bobi Wine around 15 Kms away from the town and banned people from wearing the red beret for the NUP.

Bobi Wine continues his campaigns in the western region of the country.

The developments causing serious concerns given that the country has a violent political history and has never seen a peaceful transfer of power from one president to the other. The incumbent who is almost 80 years old has been in power for almost 40yrs since 1986. He faces the stiffest challenge to date from Bobi Wine.