Bobi Wine runs during the social media tax protest. COURTESY PHOTO
Top international Musicians, including Chris Martin, have signed an open letter calling for the release detained Ugandan singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, The Guardian reports.
Bobi Wine was charged in a military court in Gulu last week with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, after he was arrested in Arua, following clashes that climaxed the Municipality By-election campaigns.
It was until today afternoon that the first images of him were shared by the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) spokesperson brig Richard Kalemire.
The Guardian reports that more than 80 artists, activists and politicians signed the statement condemning “the arrest, imprisonment and vicious, life-threatening physical attack by Ugandan government forces”.
“We call upon the Ugandan government to ensure [Kyagulanyi has] full access to medical treatment, to allow a full and impartial investigation of his violent arrest and imprisonment and … to follow internationally recognised procedures and safeguards in proceeding with any case against him,” the letter, published on Tuesday night, read.
READ: ‘They pulled my genitals until I lost consciousness’: A blow-by-blow account of Bobi Wine’s arrest
“We pledge to remain vigilant … and to use our voices … to press for his immediate and unconditional release, and for an end to this and other acts of political repression and violence in Uganda.”
Signatories also include Peter Gabriel, Adam Clayton of U2, top African musicians such as Femi Kuti, Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour party in the UK.
Kyagulanyi’s detention has prompted anger across the region. A march by sympathisers is planned in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday.
The US, UK, EU and other powers have expressed their concern.
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