A rally in Kampala on Wednesday, held to celebrate Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine’s candidacy in next year’s election, descended into chaos after clashes erupted with police, underscoring growing political repression in the country.
The electoral commission also confirmed the candidacy of President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has maintained his grip on power for nearly 40 years and will contest the January polls.
Despite warnings from the commission to avoid mass political gatherings over security risks, hundreds of young supporters poured onto a Kampala street, waving portraits of Wine.
Tensions flared when some attempted to push through a police barricade, prompting officers to respond with batons.
Among those arrested was Allan Sewanyana, a youth leader in Wine’s National Unity Platform, with party secretary general Lewis Lubongoya saying roughly a dozen people were taken into custody.
Wine, 43, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi and who first gained fame as a pop star, has emerged as the strongest challenger to Museveni.
“Uganda has been ruled by one man with a small group of his family members for the last four decades, they have looted our country and this is the time he should hand over power,” Wine declared after his nomination.
“We know Museveni is scared of young people and would resort to brutal force to remain in power. I call upon all Ugandans and stand up and challenge dictator Museveni.”
Wine’s 2021 presidential bid was overshadowed by allegations of electoral fraud and violent crackdowns.
Over the years, he has faced repeated arrests, while Museveni’s son and presumed successor, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has used social media threats, at one point vowing to behead him.
Meanwhile, another veteran opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, who was abducted in Kenya last year and forcibly returned to Uganda, is now on trial for treason and could face the death penalty.
