Ugandan Pop Star Re-Arrested Moments After Charges Dropped

Ugandan Member of Parliament and musician Bobi Wine, who appeared in court today on charges of illegal possession of firearms, was re-arrested just moments after he was granted freedom.

After spending a week in military detention, Wine reportedly looked “feeble and needing a hand” when he appeared in the packed Gulu Magistrate’s Court, where the General Court Martial dropped the charges against him.

However, he was immediately placed under arrest again, and is now expected to face treason charges. Wine was swiftly taken to the Chief Magistrate’s Court in a police vehicle with his wife.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, was first detained in Arua on 15 August, after authorities claimed to have found weapons and ammunition in his hotel room.

More than 30 other people were also detained in the north-western town, where President Yoweri Museveni had been campaigning. Authorities report that opposition supporters had attacked the president’s motorcade with stones.

Wine’s case has been adjourned to 30 August.

Image: If Bobi Wine really has captured the imagination of Uganda’s youth, then he has demographics on his side [online image] (2018) sourced on 23 August 2018 from https://mg.co.za/article/2018-08-22-00-bobi-wine-ugandas-ghetto-president-upstages-the-real-head-of-state