Uganda: Government Charges Celebrity Opposition Politician with Treason

UGANDA POP STAR
Ugandan pop star-turned-lawmaker Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, center, arrives at a magistrate's court in Gulu, northern Uganda Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. Bobi Wine, who opposes the longtime president Yoweri Museveni, was charged with treason in the civilian court in Gulu on Thursday, minutes after a military court dropped weapons charges. AP Photo
UGANDA POP STAR
Ugandan pop star-turned-lawmaker Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, center, arrives at a magistrate's court in Gulu, northern Uganda Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. Bobi Wine, who opposes the longtime president Yoweri Museveni, was charged with treason in the civilian court in Gulu on Thursday, minutes after a military court dropped weapons charges. AP Photo

Uganda: Government Charges Celebrity Opposition Politician with Treason

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Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, a pop star turned opposition politician, was charged with treason by a military court in Uganda on Thursday. Originally, Wine was charged with weapons possession from his alleged involvement in a riot that broke out between rival parties ahead of a local parliamentary election. The clash would destroy President Yoweri Museveni’s car. Afterwards, the Ugandan government decided to indict Wine with the much more serious offense of treason. Wine’s arrest has sparked mass protests and demonstrations in Uganda, resulting in a military presence on the streets. Joining us to discuss Wine’s case is Kisuule Magala, a Ugandan-American journalist and radio host.