(Busiro, Wakiso) – This morning, Bobi Wine, the leader of Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP), visited Kitalya Mini-Max Prison to check on several political prisoners. These prisoners include members of his own party and others from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), who were recently arrested in Kenya and charged with terrorism upon their return to Uganda.
During the visit, Bobi Wine encouraged the prisoners, affirming that their spirits remain strong despite the difficult conditions they are facing. He emphasized that these individuals have been unjustly detained by what he referred to as a “cowardly regime” and that they fully understand they have not committed any crime to warrant their imprisonment.
Bobi Wine’s visit to Kitalya points to the ongoing political tensions in Uganda, where opposition figures frequently accuse the government of using the legal system to suppress dissent. The party has said the NUP leader’s visit was a show of solidarity with the detained individuals, whom he referred to as “political prisoners.”
According to Bobi Wine, “the prisoners are resolute and remain committed to the cause despite the oppressive circumstances surrounding their detention”. He used the visit to rally support for their release, repeating his call for the liberation of all political prisoners in Uganda.
The situation of these prisoners, particularly those from the FDC who were apprehended in Kenya, has drawn considerable attention both domestically and internationally. Their arrests and subsequent charges of terrorism have been criticized by opposition groups as politically motivated, intended to stifle opposition to the government.
Bobi Wine, who has been a vocal critic of the current Ugandan government, repeated his commitment to continue fighting for their release. He assured his supporters that despite the challenges, they will overcome the oppressive measures being employed against them.
He was accompanied by NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya who said the message from the largest opposition party in Uganda was clear: the struggle for political freedom in Uganda is going to continue, and that NUP remains undeterred in his quest to see all political prisoners released.
