Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: Press Statement (06.09.2018)

Friends from around the world,

I address you all as lovers of peace and compatriots in the struggle for justice, human rights and good governance all over the world. Your response to the events in Uganda these past days has made me believe more than ever that those who believe in the basic dignity of every human being are many more than those who trample upon it or rejoice in its violation.

A few days ago, I released a statement in which I narrated the torture, suffering and indignities that I was subjected to by a section of the Ugandan security forces. I have received numerous messages of support from around the globe. I am eternally grateful for those messages and feel emboldened in our pursuit for better governance in Uganda.

I am grateful to the medical professionals both in Uganda and here in the United States who have attended to me since my brutalisation. Although my body is still weak and I continue to receive treatment and further diagnosis, my resolve is stronger and my hope for a better and democratic Uganda has never been so high.

I feel obliged to note that many Ugandans have and continue to go through worse experiences than myself. If they can do such things to members of Parliament and other public figures, we can only imagine what they do to ordinary citizens in their custody away from sight. Many have paid the ultimate price. Like many other political activists in the past, my friend and driver Yasin Kawuma was murdered in cold blood. Shaban Atiku is permanently disabled. Night Asara Eyoru, a young mother who had just had a C-Section, was badly beaten. She appeared in court with a discharge from her private parts and a broken leg. For over four years, Sam Mugumya, a political activist and Dr. Besigye’s former assistant has been languishing in the prisons of DRC. Ugandans watched the images of my bartered and bruised colleague Hon. Zaake Francis in shock. Hon. Mwiru Paul returned to Parliament with a broken arm. Many have been framed with all manner of charges and kept behind bars for years. These are the sufferings those who have dared to stand up for our nation’s redemption have gone through. I am privileged that my brutalization caught the attention of so many, but many more people have had to endure worse experiences and I call upon the world to stand with all of us.

Today, I called this press conference mostly to appreciate the world for standing with Uganda in this period. I am very grateful that people across continents appreciate the cross roads at which our nation finds itself. While incarcerated in the heart of military facilities, I was unable to appreciate the massive support of our struggle from around the world. Since being released on bail, I have read countless messages of support online and by mail. I am very humbled to see all the support rendered to us from all over the world. I am emboldened by the people of Uganda who have understood our message that power lies with them. Despite state intimidation and repression, they have persistently been vocal in saying that the power of the people is more powerful than the people in power. Our brothers and sisters from fraternal African countries who share our dreams and aspirations- Thank you! From Kenya to Nigeria. From Zambia to South Africa. From Djibouti to South Sudan. From Rwanda to Tanzania. Thank you all.

The Ugandans living in the diaspora, joined by citizens of those countries have stood with us and we are profoundly grateful. Peaceful protests have been held in USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Germany and China. The message has been uniform- Free Uganda! I therefore appreciate you all and remind you that we have more work to do together. We have already seen that we can achieve a lot when we unite and stand together.

The next thing I want to talk about today is about our struggle. Many people out there who may not be familiar with our country, may be wondering what we are up to. Some friends as well as some regime apologists in Uganda have been asking me why I do not give up, focus on my music career and earn a salary as a Member of Parliament, and live what they call a comfortable life. My message to them has been that I cannot claim to be free and comfortable when Uganda is not. When our people live in fear. When most of them live below the poverty line and cannot afford a decent meal a day. When the men, women and children of Uganda live under the yoke of repression. I cannot be comfortable until the youth in the ghettos of Kampala are comfortable. That is why we put on the red color- representing the blood which flows in our veins. Because we are one people. We are one Uganda. We believe not only in the freedom of Uganda, but the freedom of all oppressed people all over the world. That is the justification of the struggle we are involved in. We are the people and we believe that we have the power to shape our destiny. That is what the People Power movement is all about.

People Power is the people. It is not Bobi Wine. It is not about me. I am just a Ugandan like any other. A Ugandan who desires to live in a better country. A Ugandan who has risen from the Ghetto and was very lucky to be elevated by the people to where I am today. And when I speak, their voice is echoed through me.

People Power is the millions of young Ugandans who have gone to school, spent all their parents’ fortunes to get an education but cannot find employment. They have instead been marginalized in an economy that works for a lucky few.

People Power are those young people who start primary one but drop out soon after because of poverty and lack.

People Power is the 80% of the Ugandan population who have never seen another president in their lifetime. The young professionals- doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, etc. They are frustrated by the system, but their demands for a peaceful transition have always been met with brutal force from the state.

People Power is the Ugandan people who have been yearning for democracy for decades. They know that they got a raw deal under the different regimes after independence and have been longing for the day they will be in charge of their country.

People Power is the youth in the ghettos of Kampala. Year in year out, they have been promised a better life, and yet year in year out, their lives have only gone from bad to worse. Struggle is their life. People Power are the boda boda riders and taxi drivers.

People Power is the millions of struggling poor women who live in our villages struggling to make ends meet. When their children fall sick, they do not find drugs in government hospitals. Some have mobilized themselves in small groups and have to contribute small monies to support each other in times of calamity. Hoping against hope every day for a better day.

People Power is the ordinary citizen of Uganda who works so hard but does not earn enough from their sweat. The government instead imposes new taxes on them every day that passes. And the taxes collected are used to satisfy the greed of the few.

People Power is the religious leaders under their umbrella Inter-religious Council of Uganda, who have been calling for a peaceful transition. The government has responded by rudely sending them back to the pulpit to preach about people’s spiritual and not physical needs.

People Power are the elders such as Justice James Ogoola, Maggie Kigozi and John Nagenda who have been calling for deep reflection about the past and the future of our nation.

People Power are the journalists who want to tell the story but are subjected to blatant brutality by the police and other security agencies. They want a country where they can practice their calling without intimidation.

People Power are the thousands of Ugandans in Northern and Eastern Uganda who were displaced by war and violence. For most of them, their future was completely shattered even as they struggle to redefine it and the present conditions will not let them.

People Power are the artistes, comedians and other entertainers who are saying enough to oppression, suppression and exploitation.

People Power are the soldiers and police officers who have had the honor of putting on the Ugandan uniform with our badge. Those thousands who keep awake at night to keep our nation safe and yet earn peanuts at the end of the month. Every once in a while they are given orders to torture and harm those who they are meant to protect. They too are People Power because they have the same blood as the rest of us.

People Power are the millions of other young Africans living on the continent and the thousands who are scattered in other continents to look for opportunities which their own mother land could not give them because of bad governance. When you hear me speak therefore, you are listening to millions of voices crying for freedom and justice.
I therefore speak for those people. I say on their behalf that People Power is stronger. It will win in the end. They could eliminate some, but they will never eliminate all the people.

And what do we hope to achieve? Our hope is to build a new Uganda. We hope to build a country which works for everyone. Where opportunities come to all regardless of their history. Where unity reigns and we no longer live in a deeply divided nation. And yes, where a former president can live peacefully in the country without any fear. This is what we the people of Uganda are working for. Uganda is not looking for another strong man. It is looking for the People themselves reigning supreme. Where leaders are true servants of the people and not vice versa.

We are not giving up. We are not relenting. We understand the challenges which lie ahead, but we know that in the end the people shall win.

Therefore I call upon the world to stand in solidarity with us and with those who have paid the price working for a better country. We are grateful for the help we have for many years received from development partners. You have supported our efforts to end the HIV/AIDs scourge and you have supported our education. You have supported our troops at home and abroad. Thank you for standing with Uganda. The time is now to associate with the hopes and aspirations of the people of Uganda. To identify with the oppressed and not the oppressors. The choice is clear.

*Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert Bobi Wine

Mwenda’s twisted portrait of Bobi Wine and Besigye: Proof of Merciless Spin!

And this brings us to People Power led by Bobi Wine and Defiance led by opposition presidential candidate for life, Dr. Kizza Besigye. The core ideology and therefore support-base of these two groups (they are actually one group using different names) is militant and hence prone to violence and intimidation as an instrument of struggle” (Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘How Besigye and Bobi Wine play directly into Museveni’s hands’ 06.09.2018).

There something magical about these apologists of the National Resistance Movement. They have to make the opponents look like criminal, terrorists, fascists and whatnot that is definitions of evil forces of the world. While praising and saying the President and his wisdom is superior. Now Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi is playing in the hands of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The political voodoo continues as it has done for while. Now the violence and demonstrations of the opposition. Always, the opposition who are violent, even as the state sponsored violence has been extreme. The usage of the Soldiers, Presidential Guards and Police Officers to interfere in politics is into levels of pure militarism. Therefore, it is not surprising that ones using the military is cool, but the ones opposing it the problem.

That is the vision of Mwenda. That the minds of Bobi Wine, the People’s Power and Besigye’s Defiance is a giant danger to society. Even as the state is ordering foot patrols and using mambas every time the public is rioting or demonstrating. Not like the public would have been allowed or applied accordingly to laws. It is only NRM who is allowed to do so, while the opposition or people are seen as problems. That is why the argument of Mwenda is blatant and disrespectful.

It is not like there is a level playing-field, if it was than it would be reasonable for a conversation. However, whenever someone question the powers, they are violently quelled or detained on some sort of charges made upon the spot. Not like Mwenda would concur on that, because the visionary of Museveni is always righteous or has to made so now.

That is why everyone else is a problem, the opposition isn’t perfect, but they have to express their views, as they are now allowed to be expressed. While the government can do whatever and use the military to intervene whenever needed, even in the Parliament to scuffle with dissidents there. Therefore, Mwenda are forgetting various points in his attack on Bobi Wine and Besigye, that he is creating issues, but not dropping the context. Trying to filet the fish, but not explaining how to cut it to make sure there is no bones in it. That is what he is doing and it is tiring. Peace.

The NRM unleashed a dragon they cannot slay: Bobi Wine’s Presser in Washington proved that!

Justice for me is the leaders being accountable to the people and everyone being equal before the law”Robert Kyagulanyi on 6th September 2018.

That the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have underestimated the People Power movement of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. It has been more and more visible ever since the brutal arrests in Arua on the 14th August 2018. Now we’re in early September 2018 and the ramifications are showing itself.

That was with the defenses of the government spokesperson own presser right before in Kampala and his earlier Communique, which I have already commented on today. So, to throw more into that its waste of our precious time. But shows how nervous and how eager they are to spin the news. As they need someone to spoil the grand entry in Washington D.C. of Bobi Wine. As he is still in medical treatment after the torture.

I come from the ghetto like many young Ugandans and all we want is to have a say in what happens in our country. it’s not about Museveni and it’s not even about me” Robert Kyagulanyi.

It is a habit for Ugandan authorities to torture people and then come out and lie about it. I’m not the first, you’ve seen muslim clerics and women. It’s a privilege for me to be here, what I can do is speak for those people”Robert Kyagulanyi.

This here shows as the humility and chosen words from the MP are, as he could have narrated, he could have exposed more and even been directly more aggressive. Instead, his tone and choice of words shows how smart he is. Bobi Wine has decided to take a charge on the NRM and Musveni, but for the betterment of the people, not only for him. This is like younger Besigye appearing, but with more of international following. As he got supporters from abroad.

This Presser not only the words, but the interests, the added pressure, shows that the President and his brigade, don’t know what they are fighting. If they thought Military Detention and torture would silence him. It only makes him more determined and sure of his cause. Even as his attorney claim that the government was about assassinate him and not his driver in Arua. That proves, that the NRM have a long way to go for redemption or even trying to act humane.

That is why the government even claims they didn’t even torture him now and they have used vicious words for the supporters of the opposition. Not attacked or even asked for a fair investigation into the forces using arms against civilians or such. Even as the stories of the President has been changing, but he is allowed to change his narrative, the others have to worry to do the same. Because of the stone in the luggage car or was it the main-car? What was it Mr. President?

Well, the reality of what happen in Arua isn’t clear still. Not even all the damage the SFC did to Bobi Wine or anyone else for that matter. Because there was plenty of people who was arrested and tortured for humiliating the President.

But seemingly, the Presidency and the NRM have finally meet someone who rises to occasion and shows flair, in ways they haven’t seen in a while. Peace.

Opondo’s magic trick of ghosting torture, now!

“Making robberies into larcenies. Making rapes disappear. You juke the stats, and majors become colonels. I’ve been here before”Roland ‘Prezbo’ Pryzbylewski (The Wire Season 4, Episode 8).

There are some of these days, when you wonder, when you really wonder, how far will the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni take it in defense of the actions and oppressive behaviour towards their dissidents. We can really wonder, because today, the Uganda Media Centre own leader Ofwono Opondo defended recent actions with a communique saying about Bobi Wine: “trying to get him off the hook by employing diversionary tactics in raising the tantalizing, although unproven, allegations of torture”.

That is the mere words of Opondo today, towards the brother from another Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. That he wasn’t tortured, he just limping for fun and struggled to get medical treatment in United States. Just as publicity stunt, that is what Opondo is implying. This after keeping Bobi Wine incommunicado, keeping his detention a secret and criss-crossing him, charging a civilian in a military court. That is what this government has been doing, while tormenting and hurting him with all sort of evil means.

Therefore, Opondo is really just a voice of unreason, a voice of the ones making murders into accidents, robberies into larcenies and so on. Because, the state are saying the torture is not true. They are claiming that the words of Bobi Wine is baseless, that he was untouched as he came out of the womb like a baby. That he was as pure going into incommunicado as he came back to the public sphere. However, everything seen by the MP since the Arua By-Election is a man who has struggled and weaken by the torture done to him. Which we still cannot understand and know to what extent. Because the medical reports on him is not official and not released.

What is ridiculous about the Communique is that he attacks Amsterdam, the lawyer for claims of medical aspect, but at the same time before saying nothing happen. If your so defensive of saying the state didn’t torture the man, why are you in such a need to address the profession of his retained attorney? Aye?

Opondo, your not a doctor yourself, who claims it is all baseless, where you in the barracks or wherever the Special Force Command took Bobi Wine? No, your where chilling in stolen underwear in Kampala. Maybe, just maybe, have more basis for your defense next time.

My final salute to this gentlemen, the ills your government put on Bobi Wine will be released, sooner or later and the reality will hit the fan. That means you, Mr. Opondo. We don’t know to what extent you hurt the man, but we know you did and that shall have consequence, not only for Bobi Wine to answer in courts, but for all the gentlemen and the ones ordering it upon him. Because you are implying he a criminal for being tortured. Not the tortures who are doing evil. Just pound on that for a minute and know that your on the wrong side of the gun. Even my kind dies for being in that place, we rather that, then being the mischief who killed someone and later dismiss them as “terrorists”. Peace.

Ofwono Opondo Response to Robert Amsterdam on Bobi Wine (06.09.2018)

Hon. Odongo Otto letter to Deputy Speaker Oulanyah: “Re: Displeasure of Your Comment of Parliamentary Proceedings during Report of Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine and Hon. Zaake Francis on 5th September 2018 (05.09.2018)

Unconfirmed reports that Bobi Wine was injected with Poison!

We are now hearing various reports, that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine are in Critical Condition as the poison are taking its toll on his body. There are unverified reports that he injected with Dimethylmercury. This is not certain yet, but circulating. 

The U.S. Department for Labor made a Memorandum for Regional Administrators on the 9th March 1997 writes this about the poison: “Dimethylmercury belongs to a class of organic mercury compounds known as alkyl mercuries. It is used primarily in research. It is a colorless liquid described as having a weak, sweet odor. Dimethylmercury is readily absorbed through the skin. A severely toxic dose requires the absorption of less than 0.1mL.2 Many materials, including several plastics and rubber compounds, have also been shown to be permeable to this chemical. It is highly reactive and flammable. Because of its high vapor pressure (50-82 mm Hg at 20°C), the inhalation route of entry is also significant” (OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins – Dimethylmercury, 09.03.1997).

So, if this true, then Bobi Wine is in real danger. We can only hope these unverified reports are untrue. As we can hope they haven’t used it. Even if the problem, is that the Special Force Command (SFC) or the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) are by his own admission. Injected him twice with unknown substance, most likely not water or who knows what it was. As it made him sleepy and therefore, we can wonder what sort of substance they put into the man.

Injected twice:

One of them took a picture of me, (I hope to see that picture some day in my life). As we went out, I read “Arua airfield’ somewhere. I was taken into a waiting military helicopter and taken to a place which I later found out was Gulu 4th Division military barracks. It was at that facility that some military doctors came in and started giving me injections” (…) “ I can hardly recall what was contained in that statement! I was then returned to Gulu military barracks, put on a metallic bed and handcuffed on it. Very early morning, I was picked from this room and taken to another very secluded and dirty room where I was put on another bed, hand-cuffed again and injected with a drug that immediately sent me into a deep sleep” (Robert Kyagulanyi – ‘Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: What Exactly Happened in Arua? My story’ (03.09.2018).

By this mere time, whatever they might have put, is unsure, as the speculation of damaged kidney and other parts of his body. As the torture have harmed him and who knows before the official statements on what really was done to him and what the doctors in the United States found in his system. That is why I am not saying they injected Dimethylmercury, but that the unverified reports of doing so. What we do know, is that injected something twice.

We have to see, as we await verified reports and official statements. As per now, there is spin-control from the state, that they didn’t touch him and treated him fairly. While we know that there was more damage done to the ones in custody by the state. Robert Kyagulanyi was tortured, but to what extent is still uncertain. We just know some bits and pieces, but not the whole story. I hope that will be addressed soon. Peace.

President Museveni says: “he can get rid of Parliament,” so he wants to rule by military decree, then.

“Between 1971 and 1979 (Idi Amin dictatorship – Ed), there was no parliament…Don’t think that you are in heaven; do what took you there. You should know where the power of that parliament comes from… in fact, I can do away with that parliament,” Museveni, also a retired army general, is quoted to have said. “And we brought it [parliament] back, so do whatever you are doing knowing…” Museveni reportedly said” (Sadab Kitatta Kaaya – ‘Museveni: I can do away with parliament’ 05.09.2018, link: https://www.observer.ug/news/headlines/58601-museveni-i-can-do-away-with-parliament).

President Museveni have told the Members of Parliament, that he can abolish the Parliament, if he wants too. Museveni said on the 27th August 2018 at Entebbe State House to the National Resistance Movement Caucus, that he can get rid of the Parliament and be the sole confined power in the Republic. He has said he can take it away and rule supreme.

If you thought that the man wasn’t serious, it took ages before ushered in Multi-Party elections, he took power in 1986, but the first election with that was in 2006. Therefore, he shown in the past, he only does “democratic” incentives, when he really has too. Not on his own merry, but by default.

Now, he says he can bring back military decrees and rule from up high, without any consideration of representatives of the people or MPs. As they are just questioning his reasoning and use of the military. This being in Arua and with the tortured MPs in question. That is why he is like this now. He wants to rule over the people without question, because he owns it.

In the same regard, people should stop paying taxes to him. Since he eats it anyways and shouldn’t care for paying OTT, VAT or anything as long as he don’t want to represent other than himself. He wants to be the kingpin, the almighty, who rules without questions. That is who is now. There isn’t anything he wants to control and if you question the military, than he brings the guns and suppress those ideas. That is why the Presidential Guards are in Kamwokya after arresting Bobi Wine. Because, he needs his sharp-shooters to send the message. That no one else has the power he does, because of the weapons, not because he has the support of the people in general.

That he now wants to talk like Amin and act like him, rule on military decree, shows how he lack fundamental understanding of all branches of state and how he wants to stifle it. He only opened up for things when it was beneficial, but now he wants to abolish it and take it away. He will soon wish back to Resistance Councils and the Movement System instead of the Multi-Party model, as that way he can monitor and control it in-house. That is who he is. However, will the people accept that in 2018?

This is not the same people as in 1986 or in 1996. This are doing this to people who never seen or touched the bush-war, the post-generation of that. He speaks of as it was his gift to give back parliament, soon he does the same with the kingdoms and whatever else he returned. As the pawns on his chess-set, as long as anyone obey it cool, but when they question him; your out of line!

Therefore, we now see how belittling and how hungry for the power the old man has. That he will even go to the levels of the ones he overthrow, just to prove a point. He already use the tactics of military courts, soldiers against civilians and torture like the ones before him. Now he wants to copy their military decree too. Soon there is no difference between him and the ones he liberated people from, its just like a mere façade and not reality. As he himself is as vindictive and horrific as them. Only he had more time using harm against people, then they ever could. Peace.

President Yoweri Museveni letter to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga: “Request for Action Against Security Officers who Alleged Participated in Acts of Torture in Arua” (31.08.2018)

Bobi Wine’s horrific torture in detention post Arua By-Election!

Just as he has been in the United States for a day. The tortured Members of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine who is telling his story of what happen to him, as he was arrested in the hotel in Arua on the 14th August 2018 and what happen since. As the Special Force Command (SFC) and the soldiers of the army were torturing the MPs, the leaders and the whole Arua33. All of them, this is just the tale of what happen to Bobi Wine. That is bad enough. No one should gone through this for campaigning for an candidate during a By-Election. This is the wrongs and shows the ills of the state, as they are ordering it and ensuring this happen to the people who challenge the power of the President.

If the President are so afraid, why did the SFC do this to Kyagulanyi: “Another soldier pointed a pistol on my head and ordered me to kneel down. I put my hands up and just before my knees could reach the floor, the soldier who broke into the room used the same iron bar to hit me. He aimed it at my head and I put up my hand in defence so he hit my arm. The second blow came straight to my head on the side of my right eye. He hit me with this iron bar and I fell down” (Robert Kyagulanyi, 03.09.2018).

This is really just demeaning and hurting him, as they made him kneel, then beating on him and used an iron bar. That is really with intent of hurting him. As the bones and flesh are hurt by the force with the usage of iron bar. That you use it towards the face, shows that they wanted to visibly too, as well as not only weakening his body, but his spirit too.

They continued to torture him: “They wrapped me in a thick piece of cloth and bundled me into a vehicle. Those guys did to me unspeakable things in that vehicle! They pulled my manhood and squeezed my testicles while punching me with objects I didn’t see” (Robert Kyagulanyi, 03.09.2018).

They really didn’t spare him any piece of mind, they really wanted to show their power and strength. As they went for his genitals. They are really showing their blatant disregard for Bobi Wine as a person, as they had already beaten all parts of body, but had to go after his manhood. They just wanted to show their attitude and their opportunity to control him. To go after his sensitive and weakest part, show how much they would do to make him suffer.

They even drugged the man, after all the pains they put him through: “Very early morning, I was picked from this room and taken to another very secluded and dirty room where I was put on another bed, hand-cuffed again and injected with a drug that immediately sent me into a deep sleep” (Robert Kyagulanyi, 03.09.2018).

When he is already heavily injured as the tortured man had gone through a process, where the soldiers and SFC had picked where to hit, what to hurt and how to damage him as they saw fit. They continued and even injected him with an unknown substance. This shows to what extent the state will got to, to hurt a civilian and a representative. That the NRM and President Museveni calls himself a freedom-fighter now, is an insult to what freedom is. This is oppression and torturing people, not freedom or liberty.

The world should know that Bobi Wine isn’t the only one who went through painful experience with the SFC, he is just one out of many, but he is the biggest target and the one that NRM cannot handle. That is why they went this far on him. They really wanted to send a message. Don’t mess with Museveni. He is supposed to rule indefinitely, Not being questioned by the “Ghetto President” or even the “People’s President” for that matter. Peace.