Presidential hopeful and Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyia Sentamu aka Bobi Wine has dragged the Government of Uganda to Court over continuous suffocation of his freedom of speech and association.
Over the weekend, Police and other security organs blocked Bobi Wine and his group from appearing on Mbale BCU FM Radio to sensitise people about his political party, National Unity Platform (NUP) and the 2021 general elections. The MP had paid Shs 1.2million to appear on the two hour show.
Bobi Wine through his lawyer Anthony Wameli wants the Attorney General William Byaruhanga, the Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola, Mbale District RDC Ogajo Barasa Suleiman, the district police commander (DPC) Fred Ahimbisibwe, the regional police commander (RPC) Wesley Nganizi, , the DISO Lt George Mwonda as well as the OC station, Mbale Central Police Station Kato Arafat to explain why they blocked him from appearing on BCU FM Radio.
“The acts of the respondents, their agents or persons acting under them are not acceptable or demonstrably unjustifiable in the free and democratic society and therefore an infringement on my right to freedom of speech and association and freedom of press and other Media contrary to article 21 (2) and 43(2) (a) and (c) of the 1995 constitution),” reads in part of the suit.
Recently, the chairman of the electoral commission, Justice Simon Byabakama declared that the 2021 general elections will be carried out through media and regulated rallies. He said the move is peddled at curbing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
He wants the Court to direct the respondent to personally and individually pay punitive damages for their high handedness and fragrant bleach of the law.
“We are going for the government as well as individual officers who are involved in actions of impunity against our people. Like we have consistently said, we shall use all avenues, domestic and international, to push for the rights of Ugandans.” Bobi Wine said
He wants the court to issue an injunction restraining the respondents from blocking him from appearing on any radio station in Mbale and other parts of the country.
