Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine, a former presidential candidate, revealed on Thursday that his residence in Magere, north of Kampala, is surrounded by police, effectively placing him “under house arrest” in anticipation of a scheduled protest.
The opposition had organized demonstrations to address the deplorable state of roads in Uganda, coinciding with the hosting of two global summits this month.
Wine, also known as Robert Kyagulanyi, reported that both police and soldiers prevented him from leaving his home. Despite the imposed restrictions, he asserted on his official social media accounts that the protest would proceed, emphasizing the need to “Fix our roads! Free Political Prisoners! Free Uganda!”
Kizza Besigye, a former presidential candidate from the Forum for Democratic Change opposition party, shared a similar experience, stating that he was not permitted to leave his house.
Besigye, undeterred, called for collective action to address the pressing issue of inadequate roads and urged individuals to showcase the impact of poor road conditions.
Confirming the security measures, a police spokesman explained that the deployment around the residences of Bobi Wine and Dr. Besigye was a preventive measure to counter potential unlawful assemblies and political demonstrations.
The police warned against participating in illegal activities, emphasizing the consequences in accordance with the law.
Opposition parties have accused the government of detaining homeless individuals and demolishing roadside kiosks as part of a cleanup initiative ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement and G77+China summits in Kampala.
With most motorcycle taxis banned in the city during the summits, Besigye stressed that the demand for better roads extends beyond official events, emphasizing the importance for ordinary citizens.
Both Bobi Wine and Besigye, known for their opposition activities, have faced multiple arrests in the past. Despite the restrictions, they remain committed to advocating for improved services and infrastructure in Uganda.
The nation is currently hosting the NAM summit until January 20, followed by the G77+China group gathering from Sunday to Tuesday, representing 134 developing countries.
