KAMPALA – The US Embassy in Uganda has condemned the Ugandan government for blocking the music concerts of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine as well as political rallies of Dr Kizza Besigye.
In a statement issued on Monday, the US Embassy urged the government to respect rights of it’s citizens as guaranteed in the Constitution.
“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,” the statement reads in part.
“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,” it added.
On Sunday, police blocked Bobi Wine’s Easter concerts, citing failure to respect security guidelines. On Sunday, they arrested him at his Busabala One Love Beach and drove him home where they have put him under house arrest after he threatened to lead a protest on Monday.
Last week, police broke into a radio station studio in Mubende Town and arrested Dr Besigye before driving him home.
On Monday, the president of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Mr. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, lashed at security agencies for blocking the music concerts of Bobi Wine and consequently putting him under house arrest.
In a statement, Mr. Amuriat said the impunity being meted out on the Bobi Wine and Dr Kizza Besigye will soon end.
“The attack on Mr. Wine and his business is an attack on all Ugandans who make a great sacrifice for the liberation of Uganda. Last week, it was Dr. Besigye locked up for nearly the whole day for speaking on a radio station in Mubende. The week before POA was incarcerated for a full night in Tororo and arraigned in court on trumped-up charges. These are accounts of the recent past alone. I condemn these acts in the strongest terms possible,” he said.
Mr. Amuriat urged Ugandans to unite and fight what he described as a junta.
“This kind of harassment is a good reason for all pro-democracy seeking people to unite. We should act as a body which when one part is affected the whole is. People’s Power and not Mr. Museveni’s courts or even petitions to a toothless Parliament will definitely be our source of liberation. Stopping concerts, imprisoning activist or even stopping them breathing will not save the junta from winding up. Let’s stop just only waiting for the 2021 elections. Uganda Unite! We must act now!” he said.
Mr Amuriat said the abuse of power in the country will soon be no more.
“Very soon and very soon this impunity will be no more. Ugandans will be free and able to go about their business without the junta breathing over their necks,” he said.
