Uganda: Old Wine New Arrest

UGANDA

Old Wine, New Arrest

Ugandan pop star and member of parliament Bobi Wine was arrested for a second time on Thursday as he sought to leave the country for medical treatment just days after a judge granted him bail.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was charged with treason last week, following the alleged stoning of President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy. Some 32 more opposition politicians who face related charges were also granted bail, the BBC reported.

The musician-turned-politician has claimed he was tortured during his detention after the presidential convoy was stoned at a campaign rally in the north-western town of Arua. But the army, police and the president himself have disputed those allegations.

Before his arrest, Wine had tweeted a picture of his driver, whom he claimed had been mistakenly shot and killed by police intending to kill the MP. He also campaigned against Museveni’s effort to scrap the age limit for presidential candidates and several more of Museveni’s policies.