Uganda elections: Is opposition figure Bobi Wine under threat?

The circumstances surrounding the Uganda elections, including the alleged harassment of opposition leader Bobi Wine and a ban on social media, paints a dire picture not only of President Yoweri Museveni’s regime but overall state of affairs on the continent.

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, went from a chart-topping ragga singer, to being a fearless opposition leader with hopes of being Uganda’s next president and essentially bring change. Bobi Wine has been quite vocal about challenges he has encountered during the build-up to the Uganda elections, having been arrested several times.

The 38-year-old is running against Museveni, who has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1986 is vying for a sixth term in office. Bobi Wine is the presidential candidate for the National Unity Platform, a recently founded political party which he is leading.

I am receiving worrying allegations of internet shutdown & blocking of access to social media platforms ahead of tomorrow's general elections in #Uganda. Access to information& communication tools is critical for fair, transparent &peaceful elections @DefendDefenders @accessnow

— UN Special Rapporteur Freedom of Association (@cvoule) January 13, 2021

While the results in the Uganda elections are only expected as early as Saturday, 16 January 2021, Bobi Wine is alleged to have been harassed by police, just days prior.

Uganda Elections – What has Bobi Wine alleged?

Despite Museveni’s social media ban, Boni Wine has somehow managed to stay active on his Twitter page, giving accounts of what many fellow opposition figures have described as intimidation and human rights violations.

At the start of the election week, security guards which he had stationed at his home, were ordered to leave, exposing him to danger.

“So, the private security company that has been guarding my home for the last 12 years has been ordered to withdraw security at my house. Their supervisors showed up unannounced at midnight, disarmed my guard and said they had instructions to immediately withdraw my security,” Bobi Wine tweeted on Wednesday, 13 January 2021.

While in another instance, the military and police arrested people affiliated to his campaign, just days before the Uganda vote.

“The military & police are arresting people found distributing appointment letters for our polling agents ahead of tomorrow’s election! In Lira, Moroto, etc, persons coordinating this are detained & materials confiscated. The EC is yet to respond to our urgent calls to intervene,” he said.