Uganda: Police Teargas, Arrests Bobi Wine & Supporters

About 50 people have been arrested in Uganda following dramatic scenes in the capital as opposition politician Bobi Wine was cleared to contest for the presidency in January’s elections.

After an hours-long stand-off, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, was forced out of a police van and into his compound.

He had been forced into a police van as soon as his nomination was finished, and driven home.

But he refused to get out of the vehicle, insisting that he needed to make his way to the party headquarters for the manifesto launch.

Speaking to his supporters at home, Kyagulanyi said that the police had pepper-sprayed him and his colleagues in the eyes.

Three policemen and four other people were injured in the chaos.

From early on in the morning, armed police and the army deployed heavily all along the route Kyagulanyi used to get to the nomination centre.

Presidential aspirants are required to take only small delegations with them, as a coronavirus prevention measure.

But some of them have been holding processions, and drawing crowds.

Kyagulanyi’s supporters were dispersed with tear gas.

Ten candidates are vying for the top job, among them current President Yoweri Museveni and two generals who are his former bush-war compatriots.

Uganda’s electoral body has banned public rallies, and candidates are expected to campaign through mainstream and social media.