Page 10 - ARUBA TODAY

A10 WORLD NEWS
Saturday 18 auguSt 2018

In Uganda a pop star takes on a president, at his peril

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA siano Wadri, pelted it with and does not know how Ssentamu has urged bold broadcaster NBS that “it
Associated Press stones. to handle one, reinforc- action. The young must re- is good to imagine things,
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ssentamu quickly posted ing widespread concerns place the old in Uganda’s but it is better to work to-
In his red beret and jump- on Twitter a photo of his about trumped-up charg- leadership, he says. ward that imagination.”
suit the Ugandan pop star dead driver slumped in a es. His message resonates Ssentamu later was among
Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, bet- a small group of lawmakers
ter known as Bobi Wine, roughed up by security forc-
leads cheering campaign- es inside the chamber for
ers down a street, punch- their failed efforts to block
ing the air and waving the legislation that opened the
national flag. door for Museveni to possi-
Once considered a mari- bly rule for life.
juana-loving crooner, the “You are either uninformed
36-year-old “ghetto child” or you are a liar, a char-
is an unlikely new political acteristic you so liberally
phenomenon — and that apply to me,” the presi-
has put him in danger as dent said to Ssentamu in
an opposition lawmaker a scathing letter published
taking on one of Africa’s in local newspapers in Oc-
longest-serving leaders. tober amid public debate
On Friday he alleged he over the law.
was “severely tortured” by Museveni, who took pow-
security forces during an ar- er by force in 1986, is now
rest this week. able to rule into the 2030s.
The new member of parlia- While his government is a
ment has urged his coun- key U.S. security ally, the
trymen to stand up against security forces have long
what he calls a failing gov- faced human rights groups’
ernment. allegations of abuses.
His “Freedom” video opens In this photo taken Tuesday, July 11, 2017, Ugandan pop star Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known The beating of Ssentamu,
with him singing behind as Bobi Wine, gestures to supporters shortly after being sworn in as a member of parliament in however, has only boosted
bars: “We are fed up with Kampala, Uganda. Associated Press his popularity and led to
those who oppress our calls for a presidential run
lives.” in 2021.
He has protested against car seat, blaming police After seeing him in deten- widely in a country where “The only critical thing is
an unpopular social me- “thinking they’ve shot at tion on Friday she said in many educated young how he responds to the
dia tax and a controversial me.” Then he was arrested, a statement that he is “in people cannot find em- brutality of the state,” said
change to the constitution and he hasn’t been seen in such a terrible state and in ployment, public hospitals Asuman Bisiika, a Ugandan
removing presidential age public since. urgent need of medical at- often lack basic medicines political analyst.
limits. On Friday, limping and tention.” and main roads are dan- “How does he respond af-
Despite murmurs about his swollen-faced, he told visit- The U.S. Embassy said in a gerously potholed. ter the physical impact of
wild past and inexperience ing members of the Ugan- statement it was “disturbed With traditional avenues of the state on his body? We
in politics, his approach da Human Rights Com- by reports of brutal treat- political agitation largely are waiting.”
appears to be working: All mission that he had been ment” of legislators and blocked by the govern- His trial is likely to be drawn
of the candidates he has “severely tortured” during others by security forces, ment, the spectacle of an out over months and possi-
backed in strongly contest- his arrest by uniformed of- urging the government “to entertainer with a political bly years, impeding his po-
ed legislative by-elections ficers. show the world that Ugan- message offers hope to litical activities. His followers
this year have emerged “In spite of having surren- da respects its constitution those who want change, have expressed concern
victorious. dered, they pounced on and the human rights of all said Mwambutsya Ndebe- that this is the government’s
But after clashes this week him, hit his head with an iron of its citizens.” sa, who teaches political motive.
led to a smashed win- bar, indiscriminately beat A separate statement by history at Uganda’s Maker- In the poor suburb of Kam-
dow in President Yoweri and kicked him all over the European Union del- ere University. wokya in the capital, Kam-
Museveni’s convoy and the body until he became egation and several other “There is political frustration, pala, where Ssentamu’s
Ssentamu’s own driver shot unconscious,” the commis- Western diplomats ex- there is political anger, and musical journey began and
dead, some of the singer’s sion’s statement said. pressed similar concerns. right now anyone can do. he is fondly recalled as “the
supporters now wonder if Army spokesman Brig. Rich- The case against Ssentamu Even if it means following ghetto president,” some
they’ll ever see him again. ard Karemire didn’t ad- has riveted this East African a comedian, we are go- vow to fight until he is freed.
The brash young lawmaker dress the allegation but country that has rarely seen ing to follow a comedian,” Protesters on Thursday were
was charged Thursday in said the military will ensure a politician of such charis- Ndebesa said. quickly dispersed by police
a military court with illegal he receives medical atten- ma and drive. Beaten and “Uganda is a political ac- lobbing tear gas.
possession of firearms for his tion “now that he is under bruised, often literally, op- cident waiting to happen. “For us, Bobi Wine is a good
alleged role in Monday’s its safe custody.” position politicians have A singer like Bobi Wine can leader because he cares
clashes in the northwestern Critics have said Uganda’s largely retreated as the put Uganda on fire.” for the ordinary person
town of Arua, where both government might find it 74-year-old Museveni pur- Running against both the and he is a truth teller,”
he and Museveni were easier to get the verdict it sues an even longer stay in ruling party and the main said John Bosco Ssegawa,
campaigning. wants in a military court, power. opposition party under Be- standing in a street where
As the president’s convoy where independent ob- While Kizza Besigye, a four- sigye, Ssentamu won his tires had been burned.
left a rally, authorities say, servers often have limited time presidential chal- parliament seat by a land- “And those people whose
a group associated with access. Ssentamu’s wife, lenger who has been jailed slide last year. names I will not mention
Ssentamu and the candi- Barbara, told reporters he many times, appears to re- Asked about his presiden- think he is wrong. No, they
date he supported, Kas- has never owned a gun lax his protest movement, tial ambitions, he told local are wrong.”q