KAMPALA/WAKISO – Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, has accused government of trying to intimidate him to back off from his presidency bid by arresting and torturing supporters of his People Power movement.
In a statement issued on Monday in the aftermath of the death of fellow musician Michael Kalinda aka Ziggy Dee following torture, Bobi Wine said with the recent atrocities committed against his supporters, the regime wants him to drop his presidential ambitions.
“As we draw towards the 2021 elections, it is apparent that President Museveni is determined to silence any form of dissent using extreme violence,” the legislator-cum musician said.
“Although he came to power castigating former presidents Milton Obote and Idi Amin of torture and extra-judicial killings of their opponents, he seems determined to out-do their record in terms of committing unspeakable atrocities against the wanainchi,” he added.
Bobi Wine also expressed dismay at the manner in which Ziggy Dee was tortured.
“His left eye was plucked out, two of his fingers cut off and parts of his body were burnt with a flat iron. He was beaten to near death, and dumped at Mulago hospital by unknown people where he spent a week before being identified by his family and friends. Last night, he was declared dead,” he said.
Bobi Wine also listed several of his supporters who have been arrested or kidnapped such as Raphael Walugembe, a student of Nkozi University, who was shot dead in Nateete on 14th May, 2019.
The other is Mukisa Joshua William, one of the People Power candidates in the Makerere University guild election, who was kidnapped around May 20.
“Likewise, Ashburg Katto who also works with our media team was kidnapped only to be later dumped at a roadside. On 22nd May, our supporter and coordinator Okot P’ Bitek Junior sustained grave injuries after being shot in Amolatar district by a UPDF solider. On May 23rd, Ssebulime Rashid, a local leader in Kawempe Division was attacked and his house set ablaze. He sustained severe injuries. On 3rd June, our strong mobiliser from Busiro North constituency, Kibalama John Bosco was abducted and to date, his whereabouts are not known,” he wrote.
“These are only a few of the many supporters and comrades who have been victims of targeted attacks. We have received reports of people being arrested and detained for putting on either the red beret or t-shirts branded with our symbols or slogans. Whenever we have activities such as attending court sessions or rallies, countless young people are brutalized, arrested and illegally detained in the various cells around the country. Many have reported being beaten up from police stations and asked to denounce People Power if they want to live,” he added.
Bobi Wine said none of these actions will scare him off his mission.
“Despite these grave and provocative violations against us and our people, we are committed to using peaceful means in our quest for political change in Uganda. We call upon all peace-loving citizens of the world to join us in condemning horrendous violations against innocent citizens in Uganda. We thank you all for your support and solidarity thus far and continue to call upon you to support us as we struggle for a better country which respects human rights and human dignity. We can and shall achieve this, God being our help,” he added.
