Uganda’s most popular lawmaker and pop star, Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine has been charged with treason by the Ugandan Government.
Bobi Wine whose arrest sparked a full week of protests all over Uganda with several recorded deaths was indicted by a civilian court on charges of treason shortly after being set free by a military court for alleged illegal possession of dangerous weapons.
Live footages from the military court had shown supporters hugging Bobi Wine shortly after he was freed by the military court only to be re-arrested a few moments later.
While a civilian magistrate ordered that Bobi Wine be remanded in custody until August 30, he was granted access to private doctors due to the status of his health.
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Bobi Wine had been arrested by the military on the 14th of August for allegedly leading a group of people to pelt Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy with stones ahead of a bye-election in a northern town.
The driver of the pop star had been shot and killed by the military following the mayhem which occurred as stones pelted the President’s convoy.
Supporters, family members as well as his lawyers had alleged that Bobi Wine had been severely beaten in prison and had been unable to walk; the Ugandan government said the allegations were rubbish.
The Allegations of assault were however visible on the pop star as he emerged from military detention barely able to walk even with the assistance of crutches.
It was the first time the legislator had been seen in public since his detention. Walking with a limp, he clenched his fists and greeted supporters.
His lawyer, Medard Sseggona told local newsmen that;
“The bogus charges have been dropped. They claim they prefer charging him with the more serious offence of treason.”
Bobi Wine has been a known critic of President’s Museveni’s government especially through his music; he was elected to parliament last year and has a very strong influential following among Uganda’s youth.
Bobi Wine had been arrested with four other opposition MPs, three of whom also face treason charges. A fifth legislator was also hospitalised with injuries allegedly sustained during assault by security agents while in detention.