Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine is recovering in a Kampala hospital after being injured in a confrontation with police earlier this week. The incident occurred in Bulindo, about 20 kilometers north of the capital, Kampala, sparking fresh outrage over the Ugandan government’s harsh treatment of political opponents.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
The exact details of what happened are still unclear, with conflicting reports coming from different sides. According to Bobi Wine’s party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), he was on his way to meet with his lawyers on Tuesday when the incident occurred.
The NUP initially reported that Bobi Wine had been shot in the leg, but later clarified that he had been struck by a tear-gas canister, not a bullet.
Medical examinations revealed that fragments from the canister had become embedded in his leg, and he will need surgery to remove them.
However, the Ugandan police have provided a different version of events. According to a statement from the police, Bobi Wine was not on his way to meet his lawyers but was instead leading a procession with his supporters after attending an event in Bulindo.
The police claim that they advised him against the procession, which they say was blocking the road. When he refused to comply.
And they intervened to disperse the crowd, and during the altercation, he was injured.
They further claimed that Bobi Wine had stumbled while getting into his vehicle.
Public Outcry and Demand for Clarity
A video shared by journalist Solomon Serwanjja shows Bobi Wine being helped out of a building with a bleeding wound on his left shin.
The video spread quickly online, sparking outrage among Ugandans who view this as another example of the government’s harsh treatment of political opponents.
Meanwhile, at least four NUP members were arrested during the altercation, adding to the tension surrounding the incident.
A Familiar Pattern of Repression
This isn’t the first time Bobi Wine has faced trouble from Ugandan authorities. Since he started his political career in 2017, he has often been arrested, beaten, and harassed for criticizing President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 38 years.
Human rights groups are urging a fair investigation and respect for political freedoms.
By Vivian K.