Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate Bobi Wine reported on Thursday that police had surrounded his residence, effectively placing him “under house arrest” ahead of a planned protest. Opposition politicians had intended to demonstrate against the poor condition of roads in Uganda, which is currently hosting two global summits.
According to a report by The Guardian, Wine, a renowned popstar-turned-politician, stated that police and soldiers had prevented him from leaving his Magere home, located north of Kampala, the capital. “The cowardly military and police have surrounded our home and put us under house arrest, but the protest is on,” he declared on social media, calling for improved roads and the freedom of political prisoners.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing rule, having run against him in the 2021 elections.
Similarly, Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change, another opposition party, claimed that he was also barred from leaving his house. “Barricaded at home by the COWARDS! No turning back; we deserve better,” Besigye posted, urging others to protest the dismal road conditions.
A police spokesman acknowledged the “security deployment” outside the residences of Wine and Besigye. Patrick Onyango, spokesman for Kampala Metropolitan Police, informed AFP that the measures were to prevent unlawful assemblies and political demonstrations, asserting, “There is security deployment at Bobi Wine and Dr Besigye’s homes, not to arrest but as a preventive measure.”
The government’s controversial clean-up drive, conducted ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77+China summits in Kampala, has sparked opposition criticism. Authorities have detained homeless individuals and demolished roadside kiosks, while also banning most motorcycle taxis from operating in the capital during the summits.
Despite being confined to his home, Besigye vowed that the protests would proceed. “Good roads should not only be for visiting heads of state attending the summits,” he argued, emphasizing the citizens’ right to quality roads.
Both Wine and Besigye have a history of arrests in their political careers. In October, Wine claimed he was under house arrest after returning from a trip abroad, a statement the police contested, stating they had merely “escorted” him home.
The East African nation is in the spotlight as it hosts the NAM summit until January 20, followed by the G77+China group meeting, representing 134 developing countries.
