Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has today sued Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Frank Mwesigwa and the Attorney General William Byaruhanga, claiming damages and punitive measures of Shs300 million for banning his music shows.
Recently, Mwesigwa banned Bobi Wine’s shows that was supposed to take place on October 21 at Colline Hotel in Mukono, claiming the singer had reneged on an ‘agreement’ made between the two and ‘turned his recent show at One Love Beach in Busabala into a political rally’.
And today Kyagulanyi’s lawyer Ladislas Rwakafuzi, said the singer is complaining that his freedom of expression, right and liberty to movement and right to work as stated in Article 40(2) of the Constitution have all been violated by police, in the process denying him the right to earn a living.
“This is illegal and unconstitutional in the current government which claims that it fought for these rights and we are currently demanding for Shs 300 million as compensation fees for the shows which he has so far not been allowed to conduct in Kampala, Kamuli and Kasese,” his lawyer wrote.
Meanwhile, in a press briefing in Kampala Bobi Wine said artistes all over the world express their opinions through music. He cited the example of ‘Tubonganawe’, a campaign song for President Museveni composed by a group of singers led by Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool, which attracted no sanction by police.
“Ugandan music artistes also expressed their political views, you saw them singing ‘Tobanganawe’ but they have not been restricted from carrying out their shows,” the musician-turned-politician said, adding: “I wonder why government and police in particular are witch-hunting me, I seek help from courts of law.”
