Security forces in Uganda have arrested more than 300 supporters and officials from the party of opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine since campaigning for next January’s election began, the National Unity Platform (NUP) said on Tuesday.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is seeking to unseat Yoweri Museveni, the 81 year old leader who has governed Uganda since 1986. Museveni, now Africa’s fourth longest serving president, has remained in power after his government twice changed the constitution to scrap age and term limits.
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Joel Ssenyonyi, spokesperson for NUP, told Reuters that the arrests have mainly targeted ordinary supporters but also include campaign coordinators and senior aides. He said many of the detentions took place this week in the capital Kampala, where Wine launched his campaign on Monday.
“Over 300 have been detained since the campaigns started. The regime is in panic, they are resorting to arrests to deter and instil fear in our people,” Ssenyonyi said.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma did not respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported.
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Footage broadcast by NTV Uganda on Monday showed security forces firing tear gas and water cannon to break up crowds of cheering supporters in Kampala’s Kawempe area. A video posted on Wine’s X account later that evening also showed officers using pepper spray, while a man in plain clothes was seen striking supporters with a cane.
Ssenyonyi said at least 100 people were arrested on Monday and dozens more on Tuesday during a rally on the outskirts of Kampala, Reuters reported.
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Police said in a statement late on Monday that they had detained seven people after clashes at the rally, accusing Wine’s supporters of throwing stones and injuring seven officers. “Security personnel responded by using public order measures to control rowdy crowds,” the statement said.
Wine has long accused Museveni of winning elections through intimidation, bribery and ballot stuffing — allegations the ruling party rejects. He came second in the 2021 poll.
If Museveni secures another five year term, his rule will stretch to nearly fifty years, making him one of the world’s longest serving leaders.
