Chaos as Police Disperse Bobi Wine's Supporters at CID

There was chaos at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) on Monday involving police and supporters of Kyadondo East MP, Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.   

A group of “People power activists” donning red t-shirts, shirts and berets with the picture of Bobi Wine pitched camp  outside the CID headquarters as early as 8am as they waited for the legislator who was expected to appear and record a statement on charges of inciting violence and unlawful assembly.

The singer turned politician had been summoned by the CID director, Grace Akullo on April 25 in a letter signed by her Deputy Senior Commissioner, Joseph Obwana on accusation of defying the guidelines by the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola on his cancelled Easter Monday concert.   

However, a team of anti-riot police intercepted Kyagulanyi at Mulago roundabout as he was proceeding to CID and whisked him to Naggalama Police Division in Mukono where he recorded a statement. He was later produced before Buganda Grade One Magistrate on offenses he allegedly committed in 2018 and remanded or prison.    

The CID Spokesperson, Vincent Ssekatte, said police used teargas to disperse the rowdy supporters, saying they couldn’t tolerate their behavior. 

“The crowd was growing so fast and they tried to force their way in. We dispersed them and we also diverted Hon Kyagulanyi to Naggalama where he recorded a statement on charges of inciting violence and unlawful assembly,” Ssekatte said.  

It was not clear whether police arrested any of Kyagulanyi’s supporters. By the time of filing this story, police had deployed officers at all roads leading to the CID perhaps fearing attacks from Kyagulanyi’s supporters.

Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga told journalists at the weekly police briefing that Kyagulanyi has repeatedly shown blatant disregard for the Public Order Management Act (POMA), which prompted his arrest at Mulago roundabout.   

“Again today at around 11:30 am the Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi who has repeatedly, shown blatant disregard for the law, was arrested, at Mulago round about, while heading to CID headquarters for statement recording. He faces additional charges of holding an illegal assembly and procession, after he was accused of organizing his supporters to escort him along the way,” Enanga said.