On a tense Wednesday in Kalangala, central Uganda, the political climate in the country took another authoritarian turn. Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, Uganda’s leading opposition presidential candidate under the National Unity Platform (NUP), was violently arrested by security forces while on the campaign trail. The arrest, which took place on December 30, 2020, was accompanied by scenes of chaos, tear gas, and brute force, once again casting a dark shadow over Uganda’s democratic processes ahead of the January 14 presidential election.
Bobi Wine’s campaign was in full swing on the picturesque Kalangala Island in Lake Victoria when security operatives swooped in and arrested him and members of his campaign team. Eyewitnesses, some too afraid to be named due to fear of reprisal, described a heavy-handed operation by security forces, who used tear gas to disperse a growing crowd of supporters. The operation left many confused and terrified, especially after reports emerged that a helicopter had been positioned to potentially fly the candidate back to Kampala, further intensifying the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
While Wine’s supporters decried the abduction as illegal and politically motivated, police offered a contradictory narrative. According to their official statement posted on Facebook, Bobi Wine was not arrested but “restrained” for defying Ministry of Health and Electoral Commission guidelines concerning COVID-19 prevention. Police also accused his supporters of deflating police vehicle tyres, obstructing officers on duty, and inciting violence—allegations not independently verified but used to justify the crackdown.
This incident is the latest in a long series of state-sanctioned actions aimed at disrupting Bobi Wine’s campaign and intimidating his growing support base. As a young, charismatic leader and musician-turned-politician, Wine has galvanized Uganda’s youthful population, many of whom feel neglected and disillusioned under the 38-year rule of President Yoweri Museveni. At 76, Museveni is seeking a sixth term, clinging to power after controversial constitutional amendments removed presidential age limits in 2017.
The state’s paranoia about Wine’s popularity has become more apparent with each passing day. His rallies have often ended in clashes with police, arrests of campaign team members, and brutal suppression of supporters. In November 2020, protests erupted nationwide after another brief arrest of Bobi Wine, leading to the deaths of at least 54 people, according to police. Nearly 600 were arrested during that period, with the state accusing them of rioting and looting, while human rights groups and international observers saw the unrest as a reflection of deep political frustration.
State Violence and Global Condemnation
The arrest in Kalangala has reignited concerns among international observers, civil society, and human rights defenders about the Ugandan government’s abuse of power. United Nations human rights experts on the Tuesday before the Kalangala arrest had already raised alarms over what they termed an “election clampdown,” calling for charges to be dropped against political opponents and demanding that Ugandan authorities curb their violent security tactics.
The government’s blatant disregard for civil liberties, including the right to assemble, freedom of speech, and political association, points to a broader authoritarian strategy. While the Electoral Commission and Ministry of Health guidelines on public gatherings due to COVID-19 are necessary, they have been selectively enforced, primarily against opposition candidates like Bobi Wine, while pro-Museveni rallies continue with impunity.
What happened in Kalangala is not an isolated incident. It is emblematic of the systematic erosion of democracy in Uganda. The use of the security apparatus to harass, intimidate, and silence opposition voices is a tactic that has now become routine. The arrest of Bobi Wine is symbolic of a regime that fears legitimate competition and is willing to subvert democratic norms to maintain its grip on power.
As the January 14 election date looms, the political temperature in Uganda continues to rise. With opposition candidates under constant threat, and the electorate facing intimidation, the credibility of the forthcoming election is already in question.
For many Ugandans, Bobi Wine represents hope, change, and a break from decades of stagnation. His persecution, however, is a stark reminder of the high cost of political activism in a country where challenging the status quo is met with violence and repression.
Conclusion
The arrest of Bobi Wine in Kalangala should not be viewed as just another event in Uganda’s turbulent political calendar. It is a test of the country’s democratic resolve and the resilience of its people. As international pressure mounts and calls for accountability grow louder, the world is watching. But more importantly, Ugandans are watching—and remembering.
The road to democracy in Uganda remains long and fraught with peril. But in every act of resistance, in every protest dispersed with tear gas, and in every unjust arrest, the spirit of change continues to rise.
