The arrest of the popular opposition leader, singer and presidential candidate Bobi Wine in Uganda has caused great unrest in the capital Kampala. At least 16 people were killed and 25 injured in two days. Some 350 people were also arrested in riots, the police say.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, was arrested yesterday because authorities accused him of violating corona measures. Wine is said to have organized mass gatherings. He is the main challenger in the January elections to one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, 76-year-old Yoweri Museveni.
War zone
Kampala is described by Reuters news agency as “a war zone”. During the riots, cars were molested and car tires set on fire. According to the army, the police could not handle the situation; the city is therefore now occupied by soldiers in armored vehicles.
Unrest is also growing outside Kampala. In suburbs in the north of the city and in the Kyaliwajjala region, young people take to the streets.
How is Bobi Wine?
Bobi Wine, the pop star and opposition leader, has been arrested several times. “They clearly want to make it as difficult as possible for him,” says correspondent Elles van Gelder.
“You see across Africa that young people are fighting the power of the old guard and wanting change. And you can also see that corona rules are used to restrict democratic space,” says Van Gelder.
Museveni has been in power since 1986 and does not want to leave yet. A few years ago he rewrote the constitution so that he can run again. Previously there was an age limit of 75 years.
Elles van Gelder: “In Uganda they have said that because of corona, campaigning should mainly be carried out through the media, but these are largely in the hands of the government.
In 2019 the NOS made this portrait of Wine:
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