Twenty Eight people have been killed in Kampala in two straight days of protest over the arrest of presidential opposition candidate Bobi Wine.
Kampala Twenty Eight people have been killed in Kampala in two days of protest over the arrest of presidential opposition candidate Bobi Wine.
At a press conference Thursday, Uganda Police’s chief pathologist Moses Byaruhanga said 14 of the fatalities were caused by gunshot wounds.
At the same press conference, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said more than 300 people have been arrested as protests continue.
Wine, the popular musician-turned-politician was arrested while campaigning in Eastern Uganda, according to his staff — just weeks after a prior arrest.
He has been denied access to his lawyers and medical team, a tweet from Wine’s official account claimed on Thursday.
Ugandan police did not immediately respond to calls from CNN, but in a statement posted on its official website on Wednesday, the Inspector General pointed to tightened Covid-19 enforcement around campaign events.
Following news of Wine’s arrest, protesters took to the streets of Kampala, clashing with police and military who responded with tear gas.
Another presidential candidate, Mugisha Muntu, announced that he would pause his campaign until Wine’s release.
“The Government must ensure the safety of all election candidates and their supporters, whatever political affiliation,” tweeted the European Union’s foreign affairs representative Josep Borrell Fontelles on Thursday.
The Red Cross in Uganda said it was offering medical assistance to people injured during the protests, the humanitarian agency said on Thursday.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulayi, has been at loggerheads with authorities in Uganda since he entered the political fray.
