Kabaka Mutebi dispatches team to visit jailed Bobi Wine

KAMPALA

The Kabaka Ronald Mutebi has dispatched a delegation to visit jailed Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi commonly known as Bobi Wine at his detention facility --- Gulu Central Prison in northern Uganda.

The visit due next week was announced by the first deputy Katikkiro (premier) Emmanuel Ssendawula as he visited Bobi Wine’s wife at their home in Magere-Gayaza --- Wakiso District.

The Gulu delegation will be led by Buganda Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga and other high level officials.

MEDICAL CARE

At Magere-Gayaza, Ambassador Ssendawula conveyed Kabaka’s special message to the legislator’s wife Barbie Kyagulanyi.

“The ongoing events are distressing to the King and he sent us to reassure you of his support to your family. The kingdom condemns acts of torturing detainees. We have come here to assure you that we are behind you through this challenging moment,” Ambassador Ssendawula said.

“A kingdom delegation will visit him and his colleagues next week,” Mr Ssendawula said.

He asked government to facilitate medical care for all the detainees as it is a human right.

Barbie thanked the delegation for the visit saying it re-energized her resolve to be firm until the release of her husband.

Bobi Wine was initially prosecuted for illegal possession of weapons in a military court.

TREASON

The charge was dropped and now he faces treason charges alongside 30 other individuals who include Arua MP elect Kassiano Wadri and former Makindye East MP Micheal Mabikke.

Mityana municipality MP Francis Zaake is yet to be charged as he remains ill at Nsambya hospital after alleged torture.

Bobi Wine is a keen enthusiast of Buganda Kingdom and he has previously released songs in Praise of Kabaka Mutebi, “Nyimbira Kabaka Wange” (singing for my King) and refers to himself as “Omubanda wa Kabaka” (Kabaka’s Lieutenant).

In a statement issued last week, Mengo urged the authorities to investigate the killing of Bobi Wine’s driver Yasin Kawuma and the torture of Mr Kyagulanyi and Mr Zaake in much the same way and urgency as the alleged offences of the politicians.

"Those found culpable should promptly be brought to book,” Mayiga said, adding that the Kingdom of Buganda is a champion of constitutionalism and the rule of law and “condemns the use of violence to settle political scores. We were victims of this in 1966.”