Popular Ugandan opposition MP Bobi Wine charged with treason

Military prosecutors in Uganda withdrew weapons charges against jailed government critic Robert Kyagulanyi, a pop star-turned-opposition parliamentarian who goes by the stage name Bobi Wine.

After the charges were dropped, however, he was quickly re-arrested by police on Thursday and now faces potentially more serious charges of treason in a civilian court.

Kyagulanyi, 36, appeared before a military court in the capital Kampala after his arrest last week prompted large protests and clashes with the police.

A civilian magistrate ordered Kyagulanyi remanded in custody until August 30 and granted him access to private doctors citing the “health of the accused”, according to footage broadcast on state channel UBC. 

Kyagulanyi was beaten while in detention, family members said. The Ugandan government called assault accusations “rubbish”.

The court ordered he be held in the northern city of Gulu, about 330km north of Kampala.

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.

“The bogus charges have been dropped,” lawyer Medard Sseggona told local broadcaster NBS. “They claim they prefer charging him with the more serious offence of treason.”

The popular musician has emerged as an influential critic of President Yoweri Museveni after winning a seat in parliament last year. 

‘A lot of pain’

Kyagulanyi had been arrested with four other opposition MPs, three of whom also face treason charges. A fifth legislator was hospitalised with injuries allegedly sustained during detention.

Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi in Kampala reported Kyagulanyi looked physically unwell.

“He appears to be very weak and in a lot of pain. He has been having difficulties getting up from his chair,” she said.

Dozens of other Ugandans have been charged with treason and illegal possession of firearms over their alleged role in the stoning of the president’s convoy after a local election rally.

In recent days, Uganda’s government has faced pressure to free Kyagulanyi, with dozens of musicians around the world speaking out against his alleged beating in detention.

Security forces in recent days have violently put down street protests by Ugandans demanding his release. Scores were arrested in riots in Kampala on Monday, and video by local broadcasters showed men in military uniforms beating people, including at least two journalists.

Ugandan police also arrested two opposition politicians on Thursday for defying police orders not to leave their homes.

Kizza Besigye, who contested and lost four elections against Museveni, and Kato Lubwama were taken to police detention facilities, police spokesman Emilian Kayima said.

Earlier, police surrounded the homes of several opposition politicians, saying they had been placed under “preventive arrest” to try to stop unrest.

#FreeBobiWine

In a statement late Wednesday, Museveni accused “unprincipled politicians” of luring youth into rioting.

Responding to calls on social media to #FreeBobiWine, the president said he had no power to do so. “Let us therefore wait for the courts and see what they decide.”

Museveni took power by force in 1986 and has since been elected five times. Although he has campaigned on his record of establishing peace and stability, some worry those gains are being eroded the longer he stays in power.

The 74-year-old Museveni is now able to seek re-election in 2021 because parliament passed legislation last year removing a clause in the constitution that had prevented anyone over 75 from holding the presidency.

SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies