By KT Reporter
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has deployed a team to assess the situation at the home of Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) presidential candidate.
Since Friday, allegations have circulated that police broke into Bobi Wine’s residence and arrested him. However, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke has denied these claims. Despite this, several NUP leaders say they have been denied access to their party leader.
Pauline Nansamba, UHRC Director in charge of Compliance and Legal Services, told Uganda Radio Network that the commission was compelled to visit Bobi Wine’s home after receiving reports of his alleged arrest and being denied information by security forces.
“A team from our Kampala regional offices is already at Mr Kyagulanyi’s home in Magere. The commission will share its findings with county as soon as the report is ready,” she said.
Nansamba added that the commission is preparing to give its report on the wider election exercise on Sunday but noted that they have been receiving information on post-election violence in different areas of the country mainly in Butambala, Luwero and some parts of Kampala districts.
She emphasized that the team’s presence is to ascertain the facts on the ground.The practice of restricting the movement or detaining runners-up in presidential elections is not new in Uganda.
In past elections, candidates finishing second have often faced similar treatment, according to Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana, Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative.
“Such a person should be left to enjoy his freedom. In fact, they should be meeting with the winner and congregating each other but not seeing each other as enemies,” he said.
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