Reports claiming the arrest of Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, nicknamed Bobi Wine, have been denied by the Ugandan Police.
According to a statement released by the police on Thursday, Wine was simply escorted by them from Entebbe Airport to his house in Magere, where he is now with his family.
They referred to rumours as being spread about his arrest.
“We wish to inform the public that the NUP President, Kyagulanyi Robert was successfully escorted by our security team from Entebbe to his home in Magere. He reached his home around 11.20 am and is with his family and friends,” UPF said on X.
“Disregard rumours of his arrest by propagandists. Meanwhile, business activities and movements along Entebbe road, within Kampala and Gayaza, are flowing smoothly.”
Images of the head of the Ugandan opposition and his wife at their home complex were also released by the police.
Wine announced on Thursday morning that he had been detained immediately after arriving from South Africa via his official X account.
Wine, who was with other leaders, was seized by police wearing civilian clothing as soon as he got down of the plane, according to a video viewed by the Star.
An unnamed lawmaker from his National Unity Party (NUP), who had been with him, attempted to pursue the cops but was unsuccessful because he was also halted.
Then, Bobi Wine was loaded into a police car that was standing by at the airport and taken away.
The leader of the opposition in Uganda had travelled abroad for mobilisation campaigns in South Africa and Canada.
The Ugandan Police issued a warning on Wednesday after learning that the NUP leaders’ supporters planned to organise a procession to welcome him back after his stay overseas.
They said that such a procedure would have an impact on traffic flow.
“The Joint Security Agencies have received credible intelligence indicating that a group of political activists, associated with the National Unity Platform (NUP), are currently organizing and mobilizing members of the public for an event planned at Entebbe International Airport on October 5, 2023, to welcome back NUP President, Robert Kyagulanyi, who is returning from abroad,” police said.
“Such a procession has the potential to disrupt the normal flow of traffic, the movement of individuals, and the operations of businesses along the Entebbe – Gayaza highway. It may also attract criminal activities, posing risks to bystanders, motorists, passengers, and businesses through acts of theft or other criminal activities.”
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