KAMPALA – Former FDC President Dr Kizza Besigye has urged the public to do something to force the release of the “Bizonto” comedians.
The comedians were on July 24 arrested on allegations of publishing a sectarian video, dividing Ugandans on tribal basis.
Since their arrest, many people have come up calling for their release with a hashtag #FreeBizonto on both Facebook and Twitter.
“I like Bizontos because they address our national challenges with humor,” Besigye posted on Twitter.
According to Besigye, his frustration is not with the tribalists but with Ugandans who allow it to happen.
“If they arrested the Bizontos and we all went to where they are detained, they would be released immediately,” he noted.
He further noted that writing on Social media that Bizontos have been arrested is not enough.
“You must do something to force their captors to release them,” he said.
Presidential hopeful Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi wine noted that the attack on the art industry clearly shows how scared they[government] are.
“The artists have realised the power of their voices and are using them positively. Our brothers Gerald Kiweewa and the #BizontoComedyGroup are now under illegal detention because the regime thinks intimidation will silence us. So scared the regime is of artists that they have yet again brought more stringent regulations which are clearly intended to muzzle those of us who use art to propagate the truth,” he said in a social media post.
Kyagulanyi further said that this is the time for all artists and creators to rise up and stand for our rights.
“The regime thinks they can intimidate us by arresting some of us, but this is the time to realise that we are and have always been on our own. I guarantee you, when artists come together as one, there is nothing they cannot achieve. Let us all do what we can and see that these brothers are released unconditionally!” He added.
