Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate Bobi Wine revealed on Thursday that authorities had surrounded his residence, placing him “under house arrest” ahead of a planned protest.
Opposition figures had organized demonstrations on Thursday to address the poor condition of roads in Uganda, coinciding with the hosting of two global summits this month.
Wine, known for his transition from popstar to politician, stated that police and soldiers had restricted his movement from his home in Magere, north of the capital Kampala.
“The military and police have surrounded our home and put us under house arrest, but the protest is on,” shared the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader on his official social media channels. “Fix our roads! Free Political Prisoners! Free Uganda!”
Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi, contested President Yoweri Museveni’s rule in Uganda’s last election in 2021.
Another former presidential candidate, Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change opposition party, reported being confined to his home as well. “Barricaded at home by the COWARDS! No turning back; we deserve better,” he posted on social media.
A police spokesperson acknowledged the “security deployment” outside the residences of Wine and Besigye. “We have taken measures to stop them from instigating unlawful assemblies and political demonstrations,” said Patrick Onyango, spokesman for Kampala Metropolitan Police.
Opposition parties accused the government of detaining homeless individuals and clearing roadside kiosks as part of a clean-up effort preceding the Non-Aligned Movement and G77+China summits in Kampala. Motorcycle taxis were also banned in the city during the summits.
Besigye emphasized that despite being confined, the protests would proceed as planned. “Good roads should not only be for visiting heads of states attending the summits,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for better infrastructure for ordinary citizens.
Both Besigye and Wine, who have faced numerous arrests in the past, continue to advocate for improved services and better living conditions for the people of Uganda. The country is hosting the NAM summit until January 20, followed by a meeting of the G77+China group from Sunday to Tuesday.
