Paul Nyathi|One of Africa’s remaining dictators Yoweri Museveni and his new found friend Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa partied on Wednesday at Uganda’s Independence celebrations while main opposition leader Bobi Wine was placed on house arrest.
In a Twitter thread on Tuesday,Wine also a popular musician in the country, said Museveni wanted to frustrate a music concert organised by his party.
“Since 11:00pm, police and military surrounded my home and my private property, One Love Beach Busabala, in yet another move to place me under house arrest and block our Independence Day music concert. 156th concert so far! For singing truth to power, I can’t perform in my own country,” said Wine who posted pictures of the police camped outside his home.
Wine, an ally of Zimbabwe opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, said Museveni was afraid of critical voices.
Wine had to make a daring motorbike escape from security forces after they barricaded his home. He later shared a video of himself hopping onto a motorbike surrounded by dozens of cheering supporters while police remained around his house.
He captioned the video, “Busabala Final destination,” — the venue of his canceled concert.
The Ugandan police on Tuesday said the concert was not approved because they did not have the manpower to provide security for those attending the show.
“We are unable to provide adequate security as police officers will be at the Independence Day celebrations in Sironko and other authorized venues,” police spokesman Patrick Onyango said in a statement.
However, Wine disagreed with police saying security personnel deployed to his homes could have been sent to the show instead.
“These are the same people who claimed not to have enough security to secure our people at the show. Yet, they have enough manpower to instill fear, harass citizens and block the show!,” Wine said in a Facebook post.
The 37-year-old reggae star, who is leading a revolutionary campaign in Uganda, has thrown his hat in the 2021 presidential race and has vowed to end Museveni’s 33-year-rule over the nation.