Ugandan singer Bobi Wine was yesterday arraigned in court for annoying the president of his country Yoweri Museveni.
The singer, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, appeared in court on a prior treason charge after he and other opposition politicians allegedly stoned Museveni’s convoy during a campaign rally in August last year.
“He was charged with annoying the president” in relation to the same case, his lawyer Asuman Basalirwa told AFP.
Wine, who entered parliament in 2017, has emerged as a leading critic of Museveni — who has been in power for over three decades — and has faced multiple detentions while authorities have frustrated his efforts to perform.
He announced last month that he would take on Museveni in 2021 national elections.
“This government of President Museveni is in panic mode. At first it was treason and now it is annoying President Museveni. Who on earth can’t be annoyed?” Wine told AFP.
“It is a ridiculous charge and am ready to challenge it in court,” he said.
The new accusation against Wine comes just days after prominent activist Stella Nyanzi was sentenced to 18 months in prison over her vulgar posts on social media against Museveni — which she sees as a way to get her message across.
Recall WITHINNIGERIA reported that the Uganda popster, Bobi Wine declared his intention to run for the presidency in the country.
MP Bobi Wine has officially announced that he will run for president in the 2021 election. The 37-year-old Ugandan pop star has vowed to challenge President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 33 years.
The singer calls himself the “ghetto president”, and is a fierce critic of Mr. Museveni. He was charged with treason last year over the alleged stoning of the presidential convoy.