The new kingmaker, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s political star is rising each passing day. Since the unfortunate events that occurred on the final day of Arua By-election campaigns the Arua, a tense political climate hangs over Uganda. On the final day of the campaigns of Arua By-election, Yasin Kavuma driver of Bobi Wine was shot dead while in the seat where his boss, Bobi Wine usually sat.

NTV Uganda journalists Herbert Zziwa , Ronald Muwanga and Arnold Kyambadde broke the story, reporting live at the scene of the crime when more gun fire broke out. However, they are arrested as they telecast the live news feed and later charged with inciting violence. Arnold who escaped arrest by a whisker has since gone missing after receiving numerous anonymous calls threatening his life. Reports allege he fled the country.

When the Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi tweeted the photo of his driver’s body covered in blood to his 207,000 strong following, the world’s attention turned to Uganda.

Bobi Wine alleged that he was the target. Other legislators on the campaign trail, Francis Zaake, Paul Mwiru and Gerald Karuhanga were also arrested. Also, contestant and eventual winner whom the legislators were campaigning for, Kassiano Wadri was arrested thus being denied the opportunity to cast his own vote.

At the end of the day, over 33 civillians were under arrest and charged with treason. These ugly scenes coupled with allegations of torture while in illegal detention sparked protests and dissident. We witnessed a spillover of the #FreeBobiWine protests in various parts of the world including USA, Denmark, South Africa, Kenya among several others.

Legendary reggae band Morgan Heritage immortalized the events in a song ‘Be Free’.

Bobi Wine was arraigned before a military court which later dropped the charges. He was re-arrested outside the courtroom and charged in a civil court with treason. While Bobi Wine all spotlight might be on Bobi Wine, there is crackdown on his associates.

Body guard charged with treason

Edward Ssebuufu aka Eddie Mutwe was charged with treason before Gulu One magistrate Yunus Ndiwalana September 11.

He was charged together with Musa Ssenyange aka Rabadaba Musisi, a 31-year-old driver. It is alleged that while in Arua, the suspects threw stones at the convoy of President Museveni and smashed the rear window. Ssebuufu, 37, was allegedly picked up by state operatives from Semakokiro Plaza, Kamwokya August 31. He was locked up incommunicado in unknown place for about two weeks.

Alleged American ‘funder’ deported

Ms Jacqueline Wolfson, a Co-founder of Shule Foundation, a charity organization that has been helping needy children access education was deported on allegations of violating immigration laws. Government spokesperson, Mr. Ofwono Opondo, the Executive Director Uganda Media Centre, stated that Ms Wolfson had been holding a tourist visa since 2014. Human Rights lawyer, Nicholas Opiyo described the expulsion as baseless accusations of using her NGO to fund Robert Kyagulanyi and his People Power Movement. Her deportation came just minutes after President Museveni accused ‘external forces’ of seeking to sabotage Uganda’s growth by damaging the country’s image abroad. He stated that ‘foreign money’ was being channeled through NGOs.

Andrew Namara and Nasser Road Printers

The police raided Kampala’s printing hub, Nasser Road and arrested five businessmen found printing calendars, posters and T-shirt of bearing images as Bobi Wine. The police further confiscated their printers.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigire, the arrested were charged with inciting violence.

Andrew Namara, a staunch Bobi Wine supporter and mobiliser who was found in custody of various apparel bearing Bobi Wine images claims he was beaten, extra judicially arrested and illegally detained beyond the constitutionally accepted 48 hours. In the custody of police, they were beaten and warned against supporting Bobi Wine.

The series of arrests continued as he was always released on bond without trial. Andrew says he is living in fear as his other colleagues have since gone missing with reports that they were re-arrested. He was forced to abandon his home and live elsewhere due to fear of being re-arrested. Andrew further stated that several youths loyal to the message Bobi Wine preaches are afraid to speak out.

Anne Whitehead leaves for Canada

Public relations guru, Anne Whitehead, the founder Whitehead Communications, who played a key role in transforming Bobi from a singer to a politician to reckon with, too has left the country. Anne claims she was ‘put under extra pressure’ due to recent political events. However, she added that she is also on work leave and also wanted to celebrate her father’s 70th birthday.

Ghetto Youths

Ghetto youths in Kamwokya, Bobi Wine’s childhood residence where he enjoys a loyal following were dispersed by the military after they rejected Shs4bn presidential offer. According to the government, the money would facilitate rehabilitation of the youths residing in slum areas and also equip them with marketable skills for self-sustaining projects. However, the youths accused the state of attempting to ‘buy their support’ through the project. A couple of arrests were made as the defiant youths were dispersed. Nevertheless, over Shs100m has since been received by youth groups in Kamwokya.