Artists rise up as Ugandan MP ‘Bobi Wine’ faces fresh charges of treason · Global Voices
Rosebell Kagumire

Nairobi, Kenya: Organizer Boniface Mwangi (center) leads a protest against the torture and arrest of Ugandan MP ‘Bobi Wine’, August 23, 2018. Photo by Peter Meshack Mwangi, used with permission.
Ten days after the arrest of independent Ugandan MP Robert Kyagulanyi (“Bobi Wine”), Uganda's General Court Martial suddenly dropped charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, stating the military was “no longer interested” in pursuing the case.
However, Bobi Wine now faces fresh charges of treason “for stoning the Presidential motorcade” brought forward by the Gulu Magistrates’ Court.
The arrest of Bobi Wine, a popular former singer-turned opponent of ageing Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni has ignited public anger and sparked protests. Many Ugandans argue that achieving free, peaceful elections and political justice will now require continuous demonstrations and shows of solidarity.
Bobi Wine was in Arua campaigning for independent candidate MP Kassiano Wadri when supporters of Wadri — who claimed victory over a pro-government candidate in a tense by-election — allegedly stoned a government convoy.
While Bobi Wine was not present during the incident, he was still targeted, arrested, and reportedly tortured by police:
EARLIER: Hon. Kyagulanyi at the Gulu Magistrates court appeared to be in excruciating pain while being assisted to walk and sit. He was charged with treason and remanded to Gulu Main Prison until 30th August. #NTVNews https://t.co/MZkaLHTm7m pic.twitter.com/nCnhCrPfYB
— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) August 23, 2018
In court on August 23, Bobi Wine appeared frail on crutches and required assistance to walk. He was also seen crying having traveled from a military detention center in the capital city of Kampala back to Gulu, some 335 kilometers away:
UPDATE: General Court Martial sets @HEBobiwine free, @PoliceUg re-arrests him minutes later while walking out of the court. He'll be driven to Gulu Chief Magistrate's Court where he will be charged with #treason. We'll seek his release on bail at the court.#FreeBobiWine pic.twitter.com/6oyhH8QNYU
— Chapter Four Uganda (@chapter4uganda) August 23, 2018
Bobi Wine now waits in Gulu prison for a court appearance on August 30, 2018. He joins three other independent MPs who have also been charged with treason — MP Kassiano Wadri of Arua, MP Paul Mwiru (Jinja East) and Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo Municipality). Thirty other people including former parliamentarian Mike Mabikke await trials on various charges.
MP Francis Zaake remains hospitalized in critical condition having been arrested and allegedly tortured. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah visited both Bobi Wine and Zaake and strongly condemned the violence, stating:
The extent to which violence is escalating in this country is worrying and we should all be concerned. We need to reflect on these matters and find a way forward.
Before his arraignment on August 23, Bobi Wine wrote an emotional letter to his family, stating, “I'll be home soon.”
After last week's protests, security patrols in Kampala have increased.
Kiwatule/Najeera road under "surveillance or intimidation"
This will not stop Ugandans from speaking. #FreeBobiWine pic.twitter.com/lOmCaRjnJd
— Chanwat  G. Brian (@CengChanwat) August 23, 2018
Prayers were held at Kampala's Lubaga Cathedral:
Several musicians, drama artists, politicians & civil rights activists fill up Lubaga Cathedral for celebration of mass for the #FreeBobiWine #FreeArua33. MPs from the ruling party are also present @observerug pic.twitter.com/cY455lbZ2O
— Sadab Kitatta (@sadabkitatta79) August 22, 2018
Leading opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye was arrested in Kampala as tensions grew in the build up to Bobi Wine's court appearance.
Every way out of my home is barricaded since very early today. The intention is to deny us freedom to move & to be at the Military Court where @HEBobiwine is to be produced this morning.
The struggle for freedom &sovereignty won't be blocked! Museveni Must Go.@PGovUg @ntvuganda pic.twitter.com/3AbXlChF0n
— Kifefe Kizza-Besigye (@kizzabesigye1) August 23, 2018
Widespread attacks on journalists attempting to report on recent election violence have been met with condemnation.
We urge the police to immediately and unconditionally release @ntvuganda journalist @zziwaherbert & correspondent Ronald Muwanga. Journalists have a right to gather & report news. Targeting of journalists in #Arua for doing their job is very concerning. https://t.co/trDXacrPlL
— Chapter Four Uganda (@chapter4uganda) August 14, 2018
Reuters photojournalist James Akena's beating and arrest by soldiers in Kampala has sparked outrage. Human Rights Watch warned that these actions “curtail the public's access to information — information they could use to question the government's policies.”
In this video, Ugandan police are seen pouncing on Akena while he was attempting to report from the streets of Kampala:
Beyond the streets, Ugandans have expressed their outrage through the arts. Musician Pallaso released a song “Free Bobi Wine” that was heard throughout Kampala's suburbs last week:
Nshuti S. Mbabazi performed Bobi Wine's “Situka”, a song he did shortly before the 2016 presidential elections.
Over 80 influential people including Angelique Kidjo, Femi Kuti and Wole Soyinka signed a petition demanding Bobi Wine's release, medical treatment, and an investigation into his arrest.
In Nairobi, Kenya, the activist group PAWA254 organized a solidarity concert on August 22:
Happening now: #FreedomConcert in solidarity with Uganda. Artists have come together @Pawa254 to speak truth to @KagutaMuseveni. We demand the freedom of @HEBobiwine, Arua 33, 300+ people who were arrested in Arua, and Uganda. Images -@alaminkimathi #FreeBobiWine #FreeUganda pic.twitter.com/6BFWuBVNR9
— Maskani Ya Taifa?? (@Maskani254) August 22, 2018
South African reggae musicians also added their voice to the collective call to end the political violence.
Cartoonists in Uganda and the East African region meanwhile have been commenting on current events in their own unique style.
Kwizera Alex drew Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni as a young man staring in the mirror only to see Bobi Wine in the reflection:
Illustration by Kwizera Alex. Used with permission
Jim Spire Ssentongo, the editorial cartoonist for The Observer, drew out the complexities of power:
#FreeBobiWine pic.twitter.com/sYc3ewllZb
— Jim Spire Ssentongo (@JSsentong) August 22, 2018
Tanzanian political cartoonist Gaddo based in Kenya weighed in:
Artwork of the day.✊✊
c/o @iGaddo
This is not just about @HEBobiwine#FreeBobiWine #FreeArua33 pic.twitter.com/CrSsfEq9D4
— Jenifa Ochwo (@JenifaOchwo) August 23, 2018
Ugandan comedians came out in unison to denounce the treatment of Bobi Wine:
We the comedians of Uganda ?? condemn the torture and persecution of @HEBobiwine #FreeBobiWine
Share our pictures in your various social media platforms. Thank you ?? pic.twitter.com/yKp1hZcc6v
— Bugingo Hannington (@bhannington) August 21, 2018
In Nairobi on August 23, protestors chanted for change with Bobi Wine's songs played in the background and delivered a petition to Kenya's parliament:
NOW WE ARE ONE ….. EAC!!!  In the darkness we stumbled upon the brightest of lights  .THANK YOU KENYA.. this the beginning ..UNITY is such a beauty ??. #EastAfricaIsOne #FreeBobiWine pic.twitter.com/8Y3QY5x4qu
— BIGTRIL (@bigtrilkaiza) August 23, 2018
Other protests have taken place in Washington D.C. (United States), Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan.
After being forced to taste political defeat by Bobi Wine and his allies, Museveni's regime will no doubt attempt to bury the emerging opposition in legal battles.
While this tactic has been effective in the past, only time will tell whether it will work again now that new faces have breathed fresh air into the Ugandan political scene.