By Staff Writer
On Easter Monday, musician Bobi Wine was slated to hold his Kyarenga xtra concert at Busabala beach. The singer turned politician was told in writing hours to the concert that he had failed to adhere to some of the guidelines set by security hence stopping the concert.
Bobi Wine and his promoters spent the better part of Monday morning in running battles with the Police. In one of the fights, Bobi Wine was seen in a video, seated in his car with his security and promoters as police broke in using batons and gun butts.
He was later captured and taken to his home where he has been under house arrest. In a statement, he called for mass protests against police.
Today, the U.S. Embassy Kampala has spoken out about the Bobi Wine concert saga in a statement issued on their website. They called for freedom of speech and expression in the statement. Here is the full version.
Today we join the many Ugandans asking why their government has recently blocked musical concerts and radio talk shows, disrupted peaceful demonstrations and rallies, and deployed heavy-handed security forces against peaceful citizens. Uganda’s constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and expression. We echo the Ugandan people in calling on the government to respect these rights. Strong leaders and states do not stifle speech – they allow their citizens to participate fully and without fear in a vibrant multi-party democracy.
The Police is yet to respond. We will keep you posted.
