The Ugandan presidential candidate Bobi Wine has been detained for the third time in two months, whereas campaigning within the nation’s central area.
Wine, a well-liked musician whose actual identify is Robert Kyagulanyi, was taken to the capital Kampala in a navy helicopter. Members of his marketing campaign staff had been additionally detained.
Police accused Wine of breaching a campaigning ban, ostensibly launched due to the coronavirus pandemic, however the district he was campaigning in wasn’t lined by the ban.
As information of Wine’s arrest unfold, there have been stories of protests and police utilizing teargas in opposition to demonstrators.
Images from the scene confirmed Wine being escorted by no less than 10 cops, some armed with rifles. Wine was sporting a helmet and bulletproof vest, which he has mentioned he makes use of to forestall accidents every time police disperse his conferences.
The nation’s long-term president, Yoweri Museveni, who has held energy since 1986, faces a robust problem from Wine, who has rallied impoverished younger individuals. Efforts to intimidate Wine since he introduced his candidacy have included him being arrested a number of occasions, on the primary event solely minutes after his formal nomination within the capital, Kampala.
Joel Senyonyi, a spokesman for Wine’s get together, the Nationwide Unity Platform, described the arrest. He mentioned: “Bobi Wine and the complete staff he went with to Kalangala to marketing campaign have been arrested. Kalangala was one of many districts on schedule for immediately. It’s not one of many districts the place they’ve banned campaigns.
“So when he received there, him and staff had been arrested. They didn’t inform them why they’re arresting them, the place they’re taking them and all of that. We’re following.
“It’s a continued intimidation. The state is attempting to gradual us down, to intimidate our candidate and residents. However we’re decided. We’re very sturdy. We’re going all the way in which. We should take away the dictatorship.”
Fred Enanga, a police spokesman, mentioned in an announcement: “We want to make clear that the candidate [Bobi Wine] was restrained for repeatedly holding large rallies amidst the elevated threats of coronavirus, in whole disregard of the electoral fee and ministry of well being pointers.
“He’s being transferred to his dwelling in Magere, Kampala. A part of his advance staff, captured on CCTV cameras and several other video footages, whereas deflating tyres of police motor automobiles, inciting violence, obstructing cops on responsibility, violating the well being and security protocols and numerous site visitors offences, have been arrested.”
Political intimidation of opposition figures has been a function of Uganda’s political panorama, not least in periods of election campaigning.
Wine’s newest arrest follows the choice by electoral authorities to ban marketing campaign occasions in some city areas, together with Kampala, citing the necessity to management the unfold of the coronavirus.
That call was criticised by some who see it as a ploy to forestall opposition figures from displaying their help in areas the place the ruling get together will not be so fashionable.
Wine has emerged because the strongest challenger to Museveni within the presidential election on 14 January. He has urged the 76-year-old incumbent to retire peacefully. However Museveni’s supporters say he’s their greatest candidate, citing his reputation in lots of rural areas and with older voters.
In November, no less than 54 individuals died after protests erupted after Wine’s temporary detention over an alleged violation of Covid-19-related social distancing measures.
Police mentioned on the time that they had arrested practically 600 individuals and accused protesters of rioting and looting.
On Tuesday, UN human rights specialists referred to as on Uganda to rein in safety forces and drop fees in opposition to political opponents and activists arrested in what the specialists referred to as an election clampdown.
“We’re gravely involved by the election-related violence, the extreme use of power by safety personnel, in addition to the rising crackdown on peaceable protesters, political and civil society leaders and human rights defenders,” the UN group mentioned on Tuesday.
It added: “For the reason that publication of the rules on the conduct of elections throughout Covid-19 in June by the Uganda electoral fee, we now have witnessed gradual shrinking of civic area, and misuse and abuse of health-related restrictions to curb dissent within the nation.”
Wine’s arrest got here as a outstanding rights lawyer who was jailed in Uganda on prison fees was bailed on Wednesday amid intense strain from the worldwide neighborhood and watchdog teams urging authorities to respect human rights within the run-up to the elections.
Nicholas Opiyo had spent per week in jail, charged with cash laundering after officers queried a $340,000 (£250,000) switch right into a checking account held by the rights group he leads. His attorneys say he’s harmless, and his group, Chapter 4 Uganda, calls the fees frivolous.