Ugandan opposition leaders Wine, Besigye under house arrest

Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate Bobi Wine, alongside Kizza Besigye, found themselves under house arrest on Thursday, as police and soldiers surrounded their residences ahead of a planned protest addressing the dilapidated state of roads in Uganda.

The demonstrations were scheduled to coincide with the country hosting two significant global summits this month.

Wine, also known as Robert Kyagulanyi, took to his official social media accounts, accusing the military and police of enforcing a house arrest but remained defiant, stating, “Fix our roads! Free Political Prisoners! Free Uganda!” Besigye, another prominent opposition figure, faced a similar situation, describing himself as “Barricaded at home by the COWARDS!” on social media.

The police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, confirmed the “security deployment” outside the residences, emphasizing preventive measures to avoid unlawful assemblies and political demonstrations.

He warned potential protesters of arrest and prosecution, setting the stage for a tense standoff between the opposition and authorities.

Opposition parties raised concerns over the government’s actions, alleging the detainment of homeless individuals and the removal of roadside kiosks as part of a controversial clean-up drive preceding the Non-Aligned Movement and G77+China summits in Kampala.

The ban on most motorcycle taxis in the capital further intensified tensions, with traditional parking zones cleared for summit-related activities.

Besigye, despite being confined to his home, expressed determination for the protests to proceed, emphasizing that good roads should benefit all citizens, not just visiting heads of states attending the summits.

He urged Ugandans to demand better services, denouncing what he called the “desperate regime of Mr. Museveni.”

Both Besigye and Wine, known for their activism, have faced multiple arrests in the past.

The current developments come amid a backdrop of increased security measures as Uganda hosts the Non-Aligned Movement summit until January 20, followed by the G77+China group gathering from Sunday to Tuesday, representing 134 developing countries.

The nation stands at a critical juncture, balancing global diplomatic engagements with growing domestic dissent over infrastructure and governance issues.