BOBI WINE

Public fetes celebrating the son of Uganda's leader are raising concern that he is aiming for the presidency after years of apparently being groomed to succeed his father, President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power since 1986.

The European Union and the United States are raising alarm over torture allegedly perpetrated by Uganda’s security forces, with a prominent writer and government critic saying he is a recent victim.

African leaders are paying tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for his fearless campaign that helped end South Africa’s brutal apartheid regime.

Ugandan authorities have suspended more than 50 civic groups for allegedly not complying with regulations, dealing a blow to hundreds of thousands of people who benefit from the organizations’ activities.

(AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki, File)KAMPALA – Ugandan opposition figure Bobi Wine was arrested Monday while leading a protest against the detention of many of his supporters in the aftermath of a presidential election. Police arrested Wine near a public square in the capital and then drove him back to his home outside Kampala. AdMuseveni was declared the winner of the Jan. 14 elections with 58% of the vote while Wine had 35%. But opposition figures such as Wine accuse Museveni of increasingly ruling like his predecessors. Museveni warned in a televised address Sunday night that opposition supporters who allegedly plan to disrupt his inauguration in May face arrest.

Ugandan opposition figure Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, speaks at a press conference in Kampala, Uganda Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki)KAMPALA – Ugandan opposition figure Bobi Wine is calling for peaceful protests in the aftermath of presidential elections, charging that electoral authorities are “grappling with forged results” that showed victory for President Yoweri Museveni. Wine on Tuesday asserted that the East African country’s constitution allows peaceful protests. Uganda's top court last week permitted Wine to withdraw a petition his attorneys had filed seeking to invalidate Museveni's reelection. AdUganda has never seen a peaceful transfer of power, one reason why even some within Museveni's party openly say he must groom a successor.

(AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki, File)KAMPALA – Ugandan opposition figure Bobi Wine says he will withdraw a legal petition that sought to overturn the victory of President Yoweri Museveni in last month's presidential election. Wine, who insists his movement is nonviolent, cited the chief justice's comments in explaining his decision to withdraw the petition. Museveni was declared the winner of the Jan. 14 election with 58% of the vote while Wine had 35%. Wine initially said he did not wish to launch a legal challenge because a courtroom loss would validate Museveni's victory. Museveni won previous legal challenges to his election victories, and analysts had predicted the judges were still unlikely to rule against him.

FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 file photo, Ugandans wait to cast their votes for the presidential election in Kampala, Uganda. President Yoweri Museveni won the polls with 58% of the vote, according to official results that Wine has called fraudulent. Wine's allegations, newspaper reports and statements by diplomats have raised the specter of illegal abductions by state agents in Uganda. Museveni’s admission raised concerns that state agents carried out extrajudicial killings as tensions persist following polls whose outcome is disputed. AdMuseveni has dismissed allegations of vote-rigging, calling the election “the most cheating-free” since independence from Britain in 1962.

(AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki, File)KAMPALA – Ugandan opposition figure Bobi Wine is urging the international community to back up concerns over the country's disputed elections with “strong actions" against President Yoweri Museveni's government. Museveni, like all dictators, is not moved by words,” said Wine, a 38-year-old singer and legislator whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. “We hope that there will be more action following the strongly worded statements,” he said of international condemnation of the elections. The U.S. and the European Union have noted concerns about Uganda’s elections. Museveni won the Jan. 14 polls with 58% of the vote while Wine had 35%, according to official results.

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni in Feb. 2021 has ordered the suspension of the multimillion-dollar Democratic Governance Facility fund backed by European nations that supports the work of local groups focusing on democracy and good governance. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)KAMPALA – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the suspension of a multimillion-dollar fund backed by European nations that supports the work of local groups focusing on democracy and good governance. AdPatrick Ocailap, the deputy treasury secretary, told The Associated Press that the finance ministry would “handle the matter appropriately” after getting guidance from the finance minister, to whom the letter was addressed. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija declined to comment, saying he was unwell. The allegations of foreign meddling levied at unnamed groups Museveni accused of “arrogance” contributed to a charged atmosphere ahead of last month's presidential vote.

An attorney for Bobi Wine says Ugandan soldiers have withdrawn from the opposition presidential challengers home the day after a judge ruled that his house arrest was unlawful. (AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki)KAMPALA – Ugandan presidential challenger Bobi Wine on Monday launched a court case seeking to overturn the re-election of President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 35 years. The Supreme Court ruled three times that electoral irregularities were not substantial enough to affect the outcome. They withdrew from Wine's residence last week after a judge ruled that Wine's home is not a detention facility. He has repeatedly called for the retirement of Museveni, a U.S. ally on regional security who accuses Wine of being a foreign agent.

FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 file photo, Uganda's leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine fills his ballot before voting in Kampala, Uganda. A judge ruled on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 that Ugandan security forces cannot detain presidential challenger Bobi Wine inside his home, rebuking authorities for holding the candidate under house arrest following a disputed election. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)KAMPALA – A judge ruled on Monday that Ugandan security forces cannot detain presidential challenger Bobi Wine inside his home, rebuking authorities for holding the candidate under house arrest following a disputed election. Ugandan authorities have said Wine can only leave his home on the outskirts of the capital, Kampala, under military escort because they fear his presence in public could incite rioting. The U.S. Embassy in a Twitter post said the judge's ruling “underscores the role of an impartial judiciary,” adding that Washington “calls on security forces to honor the decision.”U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: “It’s very important that the security forces do show restraint and also obey ... the order."

FILE- in this Jan. 15, 2021 file photo, Uganda's leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine walks back to his residence after giving a press conference outside Kampala, Uganda. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)KAMPALA – Ugandan presidential challenger Bobi Wine on Friday accused the country's longtime president of staging a "coup” in last week's election and urged people to protest his loss through nonviolent means. President Yoweri Museveni “committed a coup against the constitution and against the people of Uganda,” the opposition leader said from his home on the outskirts of the capital, Kampala. Museveni won the election with 58% of the vote while Wine had 34%, according to official results. Museveni accuses Wine of being a foreign agent, which the opposition leader denies.

While longtime President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of a sixth term, the rise of the 38-year-old Wine's party marks a generational shift. You keep cutting, chipping away until the tree falls," said Joel Ssenyonyi, spokesman for Wine's National Unity Platform. Museveni, a former guerilla leader who has held office since 1986, faced arguably his greatest election challenge yet from Wine. Wine, who is effectively under house arrest, can challenge the election results in Uganda's highest court. A presidential candidate must launch any legal challenge to election results within 10 days of the declaration of final results.

Mityana Municipality politician, Zaake Francis, close ally to opposition leader Bobi Wine gestures, in Rubaga hospital, Kampala, Uganda, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, after he was alledgedly beaten by security personnel at the gates of Bobi Wine's house on Saturday. Police swooped in at dawn at the offices of Wine’s National Unity Platform, diverted traffic, and stopped people from entering, party spokesman Joel Ssenyonyi told The Associated Press. Wine’s party has said it has video evidence of the military stuffing ballot boxes, casting ballots for people and chasing voters away from polling stations. The Daily Monitor newspaper reported that the vote-rich central district of Wakiso, widely seen as Wine's stronghold, was the most affected. “We reiterate our intention to pursue action against those responsible for the undermining of democracy and human rights in Uganda,” it said.

Uganda's military on Sunday continued to hold top opposition challenger Wine at his home, saying troops were there to protect him. Forty-five million Ugandans are yearning for peaceful change, to redefine our country and our democracy.”Wine’s opposition party called on all Ugandans "to reject this fraud ... “As we speak now, our president (Wine) is under illegal detention at his home,” opposition lawmaker Mathias Mpuuga, told reporters at a news conference Sunday. Wine's party alleged that soldiers had actually broken into his compound and were freely using utilities including power and water. Calling himself the “ghetto president,” Wine had strong support in Uganda's cities, urban where frustration with unemployment and corruption is high.

A supporter of Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni celebrates in Kampala, Uganda, Saturday Jan. 16, 2021, after their candidate was declared winner of the presidential elections. Ugandas electoral commission says longtime President Yoweri Museveni has won a sixth term, while top opposition challenger Bobi Wine alleges rigging and officials struggle to explain how polling results were compiled amid an internet blackout. The self-described “ghetto president” had strong support in urban centers where frustration with unemployment and corruption is high. He said he won't leave Uganda and abandon its 45 million people to the kind of treatment he has faced. In response to his allegations of vote-rigging, Uganda’s electoral commission said Wine should prove it.

Uganda's leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine walks back to his residence after giving a press conference outside Kampala, Uganda, Friday,Jan. Ugandas electoral commission says President Yoweri Museveni leads in Thursdays election with results in from 29% of polling stations. He has 63% of ballots while top opposition candidate Bobi Wine has 28%. The electoral commission said Wine should prove his allegations of rigging. The electoral commission said it “may not be able” to provide details of where the published results are from.

Ugandans are voting in a presidential election tainted by widespread violence that some fear could escalate as security forces try to stop supporters of Wine from monitoring polling stations. “This shows me that Ugandans this time are determined to vote for the leader they want. Wine, of the National Unity Platform party, has said he does not believe the election is free and fair. The role of local observers will be even more important than before.”The EU, U.N. and others have warned Uganda's security forces against using excessive force. Ugandan elections are often marred by allegations of fraud and alleged abuses by the security forces.

(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)KAMPALA – Ugandan authorities appeared to cut off internet access in the country Wednesday night on the eve of a tense presidential election, while a lawyer for leading opposition candidate Bobi Wine said all contact had been lost with him. “Confirmed: Uganda is now in the midst of a nation-scale internet blackout,” watchdog NetBlocks said in a statement saying connectivity levels had dropped to 33% of usual levels. Ugandans using leading internet service providers MTN and Airtel said they could no longer get online. Wine's supporters allege that security forces are cracking down on his supporters. Authorities disabled internet service on the day of the 2016 election.

Bobi Wine, during a Press conference in Kampala Uganda, Tuesday, Jan.12, 2021. Wine, who insisted Tuesday that his campaign is nonviolent, urged his supporters not to be intimidated by the security forces. Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, earlier on Tuesday joined other opposition figures in criticizing widespread violence by security forces. Those deaths form a critical part of Wine’s petition to the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged acts of torture, mutilation and murder of civilian protesters by security forces. That means potential confrontations with security forces.

FILE - In this Friday, March 27, 2020 file photo, Ugandan musician, lawmaker and presidential aspirant Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, speaks to The Associated Press in Kampala, Uganda. Police in Uganda have confronted opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine during an online press conference, and he says they fired tear gas and bullets as they swarmed his car. “Facebook is interfering in the electoral process of Uganda,” he said. Wanyama charged that Facebook had blocked the accounts of Museveni's mobilizers, especially those who communicate in the local Luganda language. Some of the blocked Ugandan accounts campaigned harshly against presidential challenger Wine.

Police in Uganda have confronted opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine during an online press conference, and he says they fired tear gas and bullets as they swarmed his car. (AP Photo/Ronald Kabuubi, File)KAMPALA – Police in Uganda confronted popular opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine during his online press conference Thursday to announce a petition to the International Criminal Court over alleged abuses by security forces. Journalists watched as an officer dragged Wine from the car while he pleaded that he had broken no law. “You are embarrassing the country,” Wine told officers. The petition by Wine and two other alleged torture victims mentions Museveni, Security Minister Elly Tumwine and other security officials.

A bodyguard for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was killed and two journalists injured on Sunday, Dec. 27, amid violent confrontations between security forces and followers of the singer and lawmaker who is challenging the country's long-time leader. (AP Photo/Ronald Kabuubi-File)KAMPALA – A bodyguard for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was killed and two journalists injured on Sunday amid violent confrontations between security forces and followers of the singer and lawmaker who is challenging the country’s long-time leader. Flavia Byekwaso, disputed Wine’s version of events, saying the bodyguard fell while trying to jump into a speeding car. The three casualties are the latest victims of election-related violence as Uganda's security forces are accused of trying to stop Wine from holding raucous public rallies. Uganda faces growing pressure from the international community and rights watchdogs to respect human rights ahead of polls scheduled for Jan. 14.

KAMPALA – The death toll from last week’s protests over the arrest of Ugandan opposition presidential hopeful and musician Bobi Wine has risen to 45, police say, with more than 800 people arrested. Police spokesman Fred Enanga told reporters on Monday that “our hearts go to the families” of those killed. Enanga said the arrests occurred during the two days of protests that broke out on Nov. 18 after Wine was arrested again in the eastern town of Luuka. Police accused him of flouting COVID-19 guidelines that require presidential candidates to address less than 200 people. The United Nations secretary-general condemned the violence last week and called on Ugandan authorities to ensure that all ” perpetrators of human rights violation are held accountable.

The death toll from protests over the latest arrest of Ugandan opposition presidential hopeful and musician Bobi Wine has risen to 16, police said Thursday, as a second day of demonstrations continued in the country's worst unrest in a decade. (AP Photo)KAMPALA – The death toll from protests over the arrest of Ugandan opposition presidential hopeful and musician Bobi Wine has risen to 37, police said Friday. This is the country’s worst unrest in a decade, and more is expected ahead of the election early next year. His lawyers brought the torn clothes the singer wore the day of his arrest on Wednesday, when protests erupted in the capital, Kampala. The Uganda police pathologist and the head of police health services told journalists they had counted 37 bodies by Thursday morning.

The death toll from protests over the arrest of Ugandan opposition presidential hopeful and musician Bobi Wine has risen to seven, Ugandan police said Thursday, as a second day of demonstrations began. (AP Photo)KAMPALA – The death toll from protests over the latest arrest of Ugandan opposition presidential hopeful and musician Bobi Wine has risen to 16, police said Thursday, as a second day of demonstrations continued in the country's worst unrest in a decade. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Patrick Onyango earlier in the day said the toll was likely to rise. At least 65 people were injured during the protests that erupted Wednesday in different parts of the East African country. Police accuse Wine of flouting COVID-19 guidelines that require presidential candidates to address less 200 people.

KAMPALA – Ugandan police on Tuesday again arrested Bobi Wine, a popular singer and opposition presidential hopeful, shortly after he was successfully certified as a candidate in next year's election. Wine, who is bidding to unseat Uganda’s long-time leader, was dragged from his car by police. Another presidential candidate, Patrick Amuriat of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change, was similarly arrested. Critics say President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, increasingly depends on the armed forces to assert his authority. The election is expected to be a two-horse race between Wine and Museveni.

Supporters of Bobi Wine, a legislator whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, sit in the back of a police truck after being arrested, outside his campaign headquarters in Kampala, Uganda Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Ronald Kabuubi)KAMPALA – Armed police on Wednesday “besieged” the campaign headquarters of Bobi Wine, a pop star and politician who is seeking Uganda's presidency in elections set for 2021, an opposition figure said. Wine and other party officials have not been arrested, he said. But in a Twitter post Wine reported that “comrades had been injured” after police “raided” his headquarters and seized documents and other items. He is able to seek another term after the legislature voted to remove constitutional age limits on the presidency.

Bobi Wine, a singer and lawmaker whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, speaks at the National Unity Platform (NUP) head office in the Kamwokya suburb of Kampala, Uganda Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. Bobi Wine, who spoke on Monday to answer questions swirling around his age and academic record, cited "a pattern of repression and suppression" aiming to derail his bid against the long-time president Yoweri Museveni in polls scheduled for 2021. (AP Photo/Ronald Kabuubi)KAMPALA Ugandan singer and opposition politician Bobi Wine said on Monday he faces a pattern of repression and suppression seeking to derail his bid to challenge the country's long-time president in elections next year. Museveni accuses Wine and other opposition figures of encouraging young people into rioting. People associated with Wine are a misguided group being used by some foreigners to destabilize Uganda, the president said last week.

KAMPALA A longtime opposition leader in Uganda announced on Wednesday that he will not run against President Yoweri Museveni in polls scheduled for 2021, saying he will continue seeking democratic change by other means. The 75-year-old Museveni is accused of getting the legislature to remove age limits on the presidency so that he can stay in power. Museveni accuses Wine and other opposition figures of encouraging young people into rioting. Museveni's opponents say corruption is thriving and accuse the president of entrenching his power through his firm grip on the military, Uganda's most powerful institution. The army has become even more influential amid the coronavirus pandemic as uniformed soldiers enforce lockdown measures, sometimes with brutal force.