Report by
Faridah N Kulumba
United States ambassador to Uganda Natalie E. Brown was blocked by Ugandan security forces from visiting, presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi also known by his stage name Bobi Wine.
This came after Bobi Wine was put under house arrest on Friday, when hundreds of military surrounded his home after the general elections which took place on the 14th January 2021.
The incumbent and longtime serving leader Yoweru Kaguta Museveni 75 years was declared winner for a record of sixth term.
The US ambassador was among many other people who have been block from accessing Bobi Wine’s residence with the aim of checking on his status, since he was cutoff from the outside world.
Natalie in her Facebook post said that it was very important to check on singer Bobi Wine’s health and safety stating that “Uganda’s election campaigns were marred by the harassment of opposition candidates, campaign staff, and supported, suppression of the media and civil society organisation, activities and a nationwide internet shutdown before, during and after voting day.” the post said.
Responding to her post Uganda’s government spokesman Ofwono Opondo wrote in an opinion piece that Brown should not cry for Ugandans.”
“For Natalie to cast doubt that elections would not be credible merely because the US embassy had voluntarily pulls out of observation, is aimless shooting,” this was posted on his twitter page.
Out of 11 presidential candidates Who were vying for the top office, 38 years singer Bobi Wine was the strongest competitor of the incumbent 75 years.
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who has been president since 1986 who was declared a winner by the electoral commission.
Bobi rejected election result, saying that there was too much vote rigging and he promised to bring the evidence of fraud and intimidation when communication lines were restored.
In an audio text he posted on his twitter account, Bobi said that, “The main motivation for us to keep doing what we are doing in the face of all of this Intimidation is because what we are doing is moral,’ he said on his twitter audio note.
He also posted a picture on twitter with his wife Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi and their 18 month old niece who was brought by her father to visit while at their residence saying that they are stuck with this baby and that they had run out food and milk because no one is allowed in and that the babies father was also blocked from entering like other people including his lawyers.
One of his lawyers George Musisi while speaking with our Africa Press reporter said that the government is breaching the law of keeping Bobi under house arrest without any charging him with any thing, and that they are ready to go to court if they don’t free him.
But the government of Uganda through their police spokesman Fred Enanga said that they are doing this to protect him, and also to prevent riots.
The US embassy called on Museven’s government to respect its citizens’ human rights and fundamental freedoms” and uphold international human rights standards.”
