Ambassador Malac presenting her credentials to Museveni early last year
The US Embassy in Uganda has issued a statement questioning why government has been blocking musician turned lawmaker, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine from holding his music shows.
In the statement issued on Tuesday, the embassy says strong leaders do not stifle freedom of speech in a veiled attack on President Yoweri Museveni.
“Today we join the many Ugandans asking why their government has recently blocked musical concerts and radio talk shows, disrupted peaceful demonstrations and rallies, and deployed heavy-handed security forces against peaceful citizens,” the statement reads.
Police blocked Bobi Wine’s Easter Monday music concert at Busabala Beach off Entebbe road. Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party strongman Kizza Besigye has also had his taste of Police actions with raids on radio shows where he has been appearing in the last week.
The statement adds, “Uganda’s constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and expression. We echo the Ugandan people in calling on the government to respect these rights. Strong leaders and states do not stifle speech – they allow their citizens to participate fully and without fear in a vibrant multi-party democracy.”
On Monday, Bobi attempted to access Busabala beach but was blocked by Police and taken by force to his Magere residence by police who blocked him from holding a press conference in the capital Kampala.
Bobi Wine recently announced that he will challenge Museveni in the 2021 polls.
Hopefully action will be taken