Protests have broken out in the capital of Uganda, Kampala, following the arrest of one of the opposition politicians in the upcoming presidential election.
Robert Kyagulanyi, musician turned politician, popularly known by his stage name Boby Wine, is a presidential candidate under the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party.
The protests started after Mr. Robert was arrested in the eastern town of Luuka where he began his official campaign for the January Presidential election.
It is reported that he was taken to a police station in the city of Jinja.
The Chairman of the Kampala City Traders Association, Mr. Evarest Kayongo, said: “It was total chaos in the city, the streets are empty, we have closed businesses because of tear gas and bullets.”
Confirming Mr Robert’s arrest, the spokesman of his political party, Joel Ssenyonyi, asserted that they have not been allowed to see him and they are not aware of what is being done to him after they made the arrest.
The protesters blocked roads and burned tires, prompting police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan police spokesman in Kampala has said a statement would soon issue regarding the incident.
Boby Wine who has been arrested several times in recent years, captured the hearts of many Ugandans with his persistent opposition to the presidency of Yoweri Museveni who has been in power for 36 years.
Mr. Wine echoes the voice of majority Ugandans who are calling for a change in the government.
