This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/23/uganda-bobi-wine-supporters-say-his-body-is-battered
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Uganda: 'battered' MP Bobi Wine may need treatment abroad, say allies | Uganda: 'battered' MP Bobi Wine may need treatment abroad, say allies |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the singer turned opposition politician in Uganda arrested last week and allegedly beaten in detention, may need treatment overseas for extensive injuries, friends and supporters have said. | |
| “If he is not well he can’t engage in political activities. He is very strong and he appeals for all his supporters to remain strong. But his health has to be the priority. The body is battered but the spirit remains strong,” said Asuman Basalirwa, a political ally and member of Kyagulanyi’s legal team. | “If he is not well he can’t engage in political activities. He is very strong and he appeals for all his supporters to remain strong. But his health has to be the priority. The body is battered but the spirit remains strong,” said Asuman Basalirwa, a political ally and member of Kyagulanyi’s legal team. |
| Military prosecutors withdrew weapons charges against Kyagulanyi on Thursday but he was immediately re-arrested to face charges of treason in a civilian trial. | Military prosecutors withdrew weapons charges against Kyagulanyi on Thursday but he was immediately re-arrested to face charges of treason in a civilian trial. |
| Kyagulanyi, known to fans as Bobi Wine, could receive a lengthy prison term. His lawyers said they would apply for bail, with Monday the earliest date he could be released by. | Kyagulanyi, known to fans as Bobi Wine, could receive a lengthy prison term. His lawyers said they would apply for bail, with Monday the earliest date he could be released by. |
| Kyagulanyi’s detention in the north-western town of Arua last week followed clashes during campaigning for a byelection in which the motorcade of the veteran ruler Yoweri Museveni was pelted with stones. | |
| The opposition politician’s driver was shot dead in the violence and his arrest prompted two days of anti-government demonstrations. | The opposition politician’s driver was shot dead in the violence and his arrest prompted two days of anti-government demonstrations. |
| In recent days Uganda’s government has faced substantial international pressure to free Kyagulanyi, with western powers including the UK and the US expressing concern about his alleged beating in detention. | In recent days Uganda’s government has faced substantial international pressure to free Kyagulanyi, with western powers including the UK and the US expressing concern about his alleged beating in detention. |
| More than 80 artists, activists and politicians signed a statement this week condemning “the arrest, imprisonment and vicious, life-threatening physical attack by Ugandan government forces” on Kyagulanyi and calling on the Ugandan government to ensure appropriate medical treatment. | More than 80 artists, activists and politicians signed a statement this week condemning “the arrest, imprisonment and vicious, life-threatening physical attack by Ugandan government forces” on Kyagulanyi and calling on the Ugandan government to ensure appropriate medical treatment. |
| Signatories included Chris Martin, Chrissie Hynde, Brian Eno and Damon Albarn as well as African musicians such as Femi Kuti. | Signatories included Chris Martin, Chrissie Hynde, Brian Eno and Damon Albarn as well as African musicians such as Femi Kuti. |
| Basalirwa said Kyagulanyi, who campaigns under the slogan “people power”, had recovered a little but remained very unwell. | Basalirwa said Kyagulanyi, who campaigns under the slogan “people power”, had recovered a little but remained very unwell. |
| “His face looks better compared to when we saw him last week but he still can’t walk on his own and complains of pain in various body parts. The need for medical attention is urgent. There are serious complications. He may have to go abroad if his health allows it,” Basalirwa said. | “His face looks better compared to when we saw him last week but he still can’t walk on his own and complains of pain in various body parts. The need for medical attention is urgent. There are serious complications. He may have to go abroad if his health allows it,” Basalirwa said. |
| The veteran opposition leader Kiffa Kizza-Besigye was arrested at his home in Uganda on Thursday morning amid signs of a broader crackdown on dissent in the small east African country. | |
| There was a heavy deployment of police at the homes and offices of known opposition activists and politicians in Kampala, the capital. | There was a heavy deployment of police at the homes and offices of known opposition activists and politicians in Kampala, the capital. |
| Four other opposition lawmakers arrested with Kyagulanyi face treason charges. | Four other opposition lawmakers arrested with Kyagulanyi face treason charges. |
| The Ugandan government described the assault accusation as “rubbish”. Museveni, in power since 1986, has dismissed reports of injuries as “fake news”. | The Ugandan government described the assault accusation as “rubbish”. Museveni, in power since 1986, has dismissed reports of injuries as “fake news”. |
| Rights groups say opposition politicians, journalists and civil society organisations face systematic harassment in Uganda. | Rights groups say opposition politicians, journalists and civil society organisations face systematic harassment in Uganda. |
| Museveni, a key US security ally, has been elected five times. The last vote in 2016 was marred by allegations of fraud. The 74-year-old leader 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. | Museveni, a key US security ally, has been elected five times. The last vote in 2016 was marred by allegations of fraud. The 74-year-old leader 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. |
| Kyagulanyi, who was elected to parliament last year, has emerged as a powerful voice with his calls for young people to “stand up” and take over from a “failed leadership”. On his Twitter feed Kyagulanyi says he is “one Ghetto child who has something to say through music”. | Kyagulanyi, who was elected to parliament last year, has emerged as a powerful voice with his calls for young people to “stand up” and take over from a “failed leadership”. On his Twitter feed Kyagulanyi says he is “one Ghetto child who has something to say through music”. |
| The singer has been controversial however, facing repeated accusations of homophobia. | |
| Kyagulanyi has compared himself to France’s Emmanuel Macron and made no secret of his presidential ambitions. Many songs deal with social and political issues, calling for ordinary young people to act to improve their lives and their country. | Kyagulanyi has compared himself to France’s Emmanuel Macron and made no secret of his presidential ambitions. Many songs deal with social and political issues, calling for ordinary young people to act to improve their lives and their country. |
| Uganda | Uganda |
| Africa | Africa |
| Human rights | |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |