Bobi Wine goes to court

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine on Thursday rushed to the Civil Division of the Kampala High Court to challenge a ban imposed on his musical shows by the Uganda Police. He says he has lost sh300 million as a result of the ban.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Frank Mwesigwa confirmed early this week said Bobi Wine would not be allowed to perform at live concerts until investigations into his conduct at recent events are completed.

Mwesigwa was responding to a request by Balunywa Promotions Ltd, an events company, to get police security ahead of Bobi Wine’s planned show at Colline Hotel in Mukono.

“Unfortunately we are not granting permission for the show because during the previous show at One Love Beach Busabala, he uttered words that are inciteful (sic) to the public and he is now under investigations,” was the response Balunywa Promotions Ltd got in a letter from Police.

Bobi Wine contends that all his adult life he has been earning a living through live music performances until on October 08, 2017 when police banned his shows citing  security concerns, something he claims is in violation of his right to work and freedoms of speech, liberty and movement.

Through his lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi , Bobi Wine says he has lost sh300 million for cancelled shows at Colline Hotel Mukono, Kamuli and in Kasese district where he had been invited  between October 12 and 21.

Bobi Wine can sing at music concerts, but MP Kyagulanyi now allowed

In an interview with NBS Television on Thursday, Police’s Mwesigwa said that though music is not supposed to be partisan Bobi Wine was using music to push his political ambitions.

“We did not refuse Bobi Wine to perform on musical concerts; rather we refused Hon.Kyagulanyi Sentamu Robert to be on musical concerts, ” Mwesigwa said, adding “We want him to know that there is a difference between Bobi Wine and MP Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert.”