Open letter signed by hundreds condemns detention of Ugandan MP

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A hundred musicians, artists, activists, and politicians have signed an open letter condemning the Ugandan government's treatment of a popular singer-turned-politician, who remained in military detention in the capital Kampala on Wednesday.

Musicians Chris Martin, Angelique Kidjo, Chrissie Hynde and Damon Albarn were among those to "strongly condemn the arrest, imprisonment and vicious, life-threatening physical attack by Ugandan government forces" on Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine.

This file photo was taken on July 11, 2017, and it shows Robert Kyagulani, commonly known as “Bobi Wine” waving to his supporters' moments after being sworn in as a Ugandan Member of Parliament. /VCG Photo

Other signatories of the letter included the writer Wole Soyinka, the deputy leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party Tom Watson and Ugandan civil society activists.

Kyagulanyi, who, as a member of the parliament, was arrested last week and charged with illegal possession of weapons, is due to appear before a court-martial on Thursday.

His lawyer and family members have alleged that he was beaten and tortured while in the custody of security forces.

A supporter holds a political poster of musician-turned-politician, Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as "Bobi wine" as he greets his supporters in a suburb of Kampala, Uganda on June 30, 2017. /VCG Photo

"We call upon the Ugandan government to ensure his full access to medical treatment, to allow a full and impartial investigation of his violent arrest and imprisonment," the letter read.

The arrest of the popular MP - a vocal critic of long-serving President Yoweri Museveni - has angered many in Uganda, and protests erupted in the capital on Monday over his detention.

Following days of speculation and mounting pressure, Uganda's army sought to dismiss the torture claims on Wednesday by releasing a video clip purporting to show Kyagulanyi in good health while in jail.

Protesters put set a bonfire on a street to demand the release of the Ugandan politician Robert Kyagulanyi. /VCG Photo

Also on Wednesday, hundreds gathered at Kampala's main Catholic cathedral to pray for the 36-year-old singer's safe release. Outside a crowd chanted his campaign slogan, "People power, our power."

The treatment of Kyagulanyi is fast becoming a lightning rod for youthful opposition to the long rule of Museveni, 74, who seized power in 1986 as the head of rebel army.

Source(s): AFP