What You Need to Know
Ugandan opposition candidate Bobi Wine has accused security forces of assaulting him and his supporters during a campaign event in northern Uganda. This incident marks an escalation of violence ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for January 15.
Africa. Ugandan opposition candidate Bobi Wine has claimed that security forces assaulted him, his aides, and supporters during his campaign in northern Uganda, marking an escalation of violence ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for January 15.
Wine, a musician turned politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is challenging 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni for the second time, having finished second in the previous election in 2021.
In a series of posts on his X account on Saturday evening, Wine stated that he was struck in the face with a stick and that some of his supporters were also beaten, with some requiring hospitalization while heading to a campaign site in Gulu, the largest city in northern Uganda.
He added in one of his posts, “Criminals in police and military uniforms attacked us with sticks and stones and began beating people. One of them hit me in the face with a stick… Several comrades are in the hospital. All this because Museveni is very afraid of the people.”
Military spokesperson Chris Magezi accused Wine and his supporters of organizing an illegal march and continuing the campaign beyond the allowed time, stating, “Security forces are present to ensure everyone complies with the law.”
Wine reported that one of his aides was beaten, sharing a photo of him with blood streaming from his head, and mentioned that campaign materials, including his sound system, were damaged.
He also posted a video showing a large group of military and police personnel beating participants with sticks.
In a statement released on Wednesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned what he described as a “escalation of repression” against the opposition in Uganda, noting that at least 550 supporters of Wine’s National Unity Platform have been arrested this year.
Uganda has a long history of political tension and violence, particularly surrounding elections. President Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986, and opposition candidates often face significant challenges, including harassment and violence from security forces. The political landscape has been marked by allegations of human rights abuses and suppression of dissent, particularly against figures like Bobi Wine, who have gained substantial public support in recent years.
As the January 2024 elections approach, the atmosphere is increasingly charged, with opposition parties like Wine’s National Unity Platform facing heightened scrutiny and aggression from the government.
