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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/20/uganda-pop-star-politician-bobi-wine-returns-us
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| Uganda's pop star politician addresses jubilant crowds on return from US | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Bobi Wine, the Ugandan pop star turned opposition politician whose beating by soldiers last month prompted mass protests, has been welcomed by a large group of jubilant supporters on his return to the country from the US. | |
| Wine’s associates feared he had been arrested after he was separated from other passengers before immigration controls and prevented from seeing his lawyers at Entebbe international airport, then put in a police vehicle. | |
| However, a government official said the 36-year-old was only being given “the usual security and protection guarantees that we provide for all travellers and leaders of his level”. Wine “should not make his return an issue”, the official added. | |
| Wine was later seen addressing crowds outside his home in the capital, Kampala. | |
| Bobi Wine was received at his home by a cheering crowd. Took the police long to let him out of the UN car they drove him, they couldnt find his walking stick #uganda pic.twitter.com/uqAgHzO6Xc | |
| Earlier in the day, police and soldiers sealed off roads, erected barricades around the airport and moved into opposition strongholds in Kampala. Demonstrations have been banned and TV networks told not to report live on Wine’s return. | |
| #police #riot vehicles deployed on #entebbe road, ahead of @HEBobiwine 's return from the US. @PoliceUg have said procession of supporters not allowed pic.twitter.com/vafGTWMjBj | |
| Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has been receiving medical treatment in the US for injuries sustained following his arrest on 14 August. | Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has been receiving medical treatment in the US for injuries sustained following his arrest on 14 August. |
| He had been detained after the motorcade of Uganda’s veteran president, Yoweri Museveni, was stoned in Arua, a northern town, during campaigning for byelections. He was badly beaten, kept in a military barracks without proper medical attention and then produced in court to face treason charges. His driver was shot dead. | |
| Analysts say the 36-year-old politician poses the most significant challenge in years to Museveni. | Analysts say the 36-year-old politician poses the most significant challenge in years to Museveni. |
| Earlier this week Wine told the Guardian he wanted to prove that the “power of the people is greater than the people in power”. | Earlier this week Wine told the Guardian he wanted to prove that the “power of the people is greater than the people in power”. |
| “If I think about the dangers that face me, it is crazy to go back. But I want to be home. There are 40 million people who need hope so I will go and meet them no matter what,” Wine said. | “If I think about the dangers that face me, it is crazy to go back. But I want to be home. There are 40 million people who need hope so I will go and meet them no matter what,” Wine said. |
| The former reggae singer, who was elected to parliament last year, has emerged as a powerful voice with his calls for young people in the east African country to stand up and take over from a “failed leadership”. | The former reggae singer, who was elected to parliament last year, has emerged as a powerful voice with his calls for young people in the east African country to stand up and take over from a “failed leadership”. |
| Security forces also deployed overnight to outside the homes of opposition leaders. Police escorted Medard Ssegona, Wine’s lawyer and member of parliament, from his home to his office at parliament. | Security forces also deployed overnight to outside the homes of opposition leaders. Police escorted Medard Ssegona, Wine’s lawyer and member of parliament, from his home to his office at parliament. |
| Nicholas Opio, another lawyer for Wine, told the Guardian that the situation in and around Entebbe airport on Thursday was “tense”. | Nicholas Opio, another lawyer for Wine, told the Guardian that the situation in and around Entebbe airport on Thursday was “tense”. |
| Along with other supporters, Opio was forced to leave the terminal building and told to wait at the airport police station. “[There’s a] heavy deployment … It looks like we’re in war,” he said. | |
| A number of journalists who had travelled to the airport had their equipment confiscated. “The journalists have not been formally arrested but their equipment has been confiscated and their identity cards taken,” Opio said. | |
| Musician friends of Wine who attempted to travel to Entebbe to welcome him home were also held by police. Witnesses said soldiers and police deployed along the entire length of the road between Kampala and Entebbe town, about 30 miles south. | |
| Uganda’s population is one of the youngest in the world, with more than two-thirds under 24. | Uganda’s population is one of the youngest in the world, with more than two-thirds under 24. |
| On his Twitter feed, Wine describes himself as “one ghetto child who has something to say through music”. Many of his songs deal with social and political issues, calling for ordinary young people to act to improve their lives and their country. | On his Twitter feed, Wine describes himself as “one ghetto child who has something to say through music”. Many of his songs deal with social and political issues, calling for ordinary young people to act to improve their lives and their country. |
| He has compared himself to France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, and made no secret of his presidential ambitions. However, the singer is controversial and has faced repeated accusations of homophobia. | He has compared himself to France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, and made no secret of his presidential ambitions. However, the singer is controversial and has faced repeated accusations of homophobia. |
| More than 80 artists, activists and politicians signed a statement condemning his treatment in detention. Signatories included Chris Martin, Chrissie Hynde, Brian Eno and Damon Albarn as well as African musicians such as Femi Kuti. | More than 80 artists, activists and politicians signed a statement condemning his treatment in detention. Signatories included Chris Martin, Chrissie Hynde, Brian Eno and Damon Albarn as well as African musicians such as Femi Kuti. |
| There were also protests in other countries in Africa, the UK and the US. | There were also protests in other countries in Africa, the UK and the US. |
| Analysts say it is likely that the Ugandan authorities did not expect him to return when they allowed him to fly to the US. | Analysts say it is likely that the Ugandan authorities did not expect him to return when they allowed him to fly to the US. |
| Nick Cheeseman, professor of democracy at the University of Birmingham and an expert in African politics, said Wine will have to reach more voters if he is to mount a serious challenge to Museveni. | Nick Cheeseman, professor of democracy at the University of Birmingham and an expert in African politics, said Wine will have to reach more voters if he is to mount a serious challenge to Museveni. |
| “You need more than charisma and a bit of a following among the urban youth. You need a nationwide structure and a lot of money. Uganda remains a predominantly rural country,” he said. | “You need more than charisma and a bit of a following among the urban youth. You need a nationwide structure and a lot of money. Uganda remains a predominantly rural country,” he said. |
| Museveni, who took power in 1986 and is a key US security ally, has become increasingly authoritarian in recent years. The 74-year-old president is 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, who took power in 1986 and is a key US security ally, has become increasingly authoritarian in recent years. The 74-year-old president is 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. |
| Demonstrations following Wine’s detention last month were repressed by riot police and other security forces. Three people died and around 100 were arrested. | Demonstrations following Wine’s detention last month were repressed by riot police and other security forces. Three people died and around 100 were arrested. |
| The US, EU and UK have been critical of the treatment of Wine, a sign that long-standing support may be ebbing as observers worry about growing instability. | The US, EU and UK have been critical of the treatment of Wine, a sign that long-standing support may be ebbing as observers worry about growing instability. |
| Next month Wine is due to face trial for treason. A guilty verdict could result in a death penalty. | Next month Wine is due to face trial for treason. A guilty verdict could result in a death penalty. |
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