Riots in Uganda protesting arrest and torture of lawmakers

AP photo

By

Gloria Nakiyimba

Ugandan Police, working with the army, spent most of Monday in running battles with supporters of jailed musician and politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who goes by the stage name Bobi Wine.

Police fired live bullets and tear gas to disperse angry supporters who were demonstrating in the central business district demanding the release of the Kyadondo East legislator.

Business was paralysed with shops closed when armed military men stormed shopping arcades picking up people in a mop-up operation to track down demonstrators.

Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima told the media in Kampala on Monday that more than 40 people were rounded up during demonstrations confirming also that police were working with the army to secure the city. There is still a heavy deployment of the military manning the streets in Kampala.

The suspects were picked up from Kiseka market, Gazaland arcade, Old Kampala and Kibuye during the joint operation.

Lawyer challenges trial in court martial, supporters charged

Lawyer Male Mabirizi has petitioned the Constitutional Court challenging the trial of the Hon. Kyagulanyi in the military general court martial. He appeared before the court in Gulu barracks last week where he was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

He claims that being a civilian, Bobi Wine should not be charged by an incompetent court whose mandate is limited to disciplining errant UPDF soldiers.

Mabirizi is now seeking a permanent injunction against the General Court Martial from prosecuting the legislator as well as ordering his unconditional release.

Lawyers to the incarnated Kyadondo east representative also held talks with chairman of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Meddie Kaggwa, over his release.

They want him released to be able to get medical treatment for the severe injuries he suffered as a result of torture following his arrest a week ago.

Eleven supporters on Monday appeared at City Hall court where they were charged for participating in an illegal assembly and inciting violence. They appeared before City Hall court grade one magistrate Beatrice Kainza and pleaded not guilty to the offenses. They were later remanded to Luzira prison.

Gloria Nakiyimba

Gloria has experience spanning more than five years in Journalism, particularly in field reporting, editing, newscasting and management. She is currently working with Capital Radio Limited [91.3 Capital FM and 96.3 Beat FM] as Head of News, a position she has held since 2010.

Gloria previously worked as the Kampala Correspondent for Radio France International [RFI] generating local story leads with international inference for RFI’s global audience. She also served as Political Editor for The Weekly Mail Newspaper as well as Online Content Editor for the California based Ugandan broadcaster KubutakaRadio.com.