Uganda’s pop star-turned-lawmaker now facing treason charges

A Ugandan pop star-turned-lawmaker who opposes the longtime president was charged with treason in a civilian court Thursday, minutes after a military court dropped weapons charges.

The treason charge, which is punishable by death, was bound to bring fresh outrage from Ugandans and global musicians after Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, alleged he had been severely beaten while in detention. The government denies it.

Ssentamu has emerged as an influential critic of President Yoweri Museveni, especially among youth, after winning a seat in Parliament last year.

The 36-year-old Ssentamu had been charged last week with illegal possession of firearms after an incident in which Museveni’s motorcade was pelted with stones.

A military court freed him Thursday, but the lawmaker was re-arrested by police and taken to a magistrate’s court.

Ssentamu limped during his appearance in military court and appeared to cry as he rubbed his eyes. A colleague wrapped the national flag around his shoulders. He sat in the dock in magistrate’s court, with his lawyers saying he was unable to stand on his own.

The magistrate ruled that Ssentamu should be allowed access to his own physicians. He was remanded until Aug. 30.

Going abroad for treatment is desirable but Ssentamu’s attorneys are first fighting for access to a private Ugandan health facility, said one of those lawyers, Medard Sseggona. “As to whether they can do it is a different matter.”

Ssentamu had been arrested with four other opposition lawmakers, three of whom also face treason charges. A fifth legislator has been hospitalized with injuries reportedly suffered during detention.

The court appearance Thursday was the first time Ssentamu had been seen in public since his detention. He clenched his fists and greeted supporters.

In recent days Uganda’s government has faced mounting pressure at home and abroad to free him. Security forces have violently put down street protests demanding his release.

On Thursday, other opposition figures expressed concern about being targeted by security forces. “Every way out of my home is barricaded since very early today,” tweeted Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential challenger who has been jailed many times.

Police spokesman Emilian Kayima later said that Besigye was arrested when he tried to force his way out. Police were also deployed, under what the spokesman called “preventive arrest,” at the homes of certain Ugandans after intelligence was received that some “wanted to engage in criminal activities.”

Ssentamu’s arrest came after he was campaigning in an election to choose a lawmaker in the northwestern town of Arua.

Museveni also was in Arua at the time, campaigning for a rival candidate who eventually lost. While the president was departing, authorities said, his motorcade was pelted with stones by people associated with Ssentamu and the candidate he backed, Kassiano Wadri.

Ssentamu’s driver was shot and killed, reportedly by security forces.

In a statement late Wednesday, Museveni accused “unprincipled politicians” of luring youth into rioting. Responding to calls on social media to #FreeBobiWine, the president said he had no power to release Ssentamu. “Let us therefore wait for the courts and see what they decide.”

Museveni, a U.S. ally on regional security, took power by force in 1986 and has since been elected five times. Although he has campaigned on his record of establishing peace and stability, some worry that those gains are being eroded the longer he stays in power.

The 74-year-old Museveni is now able to seek reelection in 2021 because Parliament passed legislation last year removing a clause in the Ugandan Constitution that had prevented anyone over 75 from holding the presidency. Ssentamu publicly opposed that decision.

UPDATES:

8 a.m.: This article was updated with background on President Yoweri Museveni and the incident in which his motorcade was pelted with stones.

This article was originally published at 3:35 a.m.