This archive report was first published on 6 January 2020.
On January 6, 2020, Ugandan police arrested Robert Kyagulanyi, a popular opposition politician known as Bobi Wine, in Kampala.
The 37-year-old Kyadondo East lawmaker was attempting to access a venue in the outskirts of the capital city to carry out public participation ahead of the country's general elections in 2021.
According to media reports, Bobi Wine was arrested alongside several of his aides and taken to Kasangati Police station.
He had declared his intention to challenge President Yoweri Museveni in the elections, citing the country's constitution as providing for public participation.
“Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act provides that anyone who aspires to become president can write to the Electoral Commission and thereafter go around the country consulting citizens about his or her intentions,” Bobi Wine explained.
However, police claimed that the public participation meeting could not take place because it was to be held in an open place.
Police fired several teargas canisters in the air to disperse Bobi Wine's supporters, adding to the drama and chaos surrounding the arrest.
