Protests have rocked in downtown Kampala and other parts of the country following the arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine in Luuka District on Wednesday morning.
Bobi Wine was arrested at the Luuka district headquarter grounds while holding a rally which according to the police, was against the Electoral Commission directive of having not more than 200 people.
However, his arrest has sparked off protests that have led business closure and reports of human death as well. Reports indicate that five individuals have lost lives as a result of the ongoing protests by Bobi Wine supporters.
The protesters, in various areas including the Kisekka market and Wandegeya blocked roads and burnt car tires, prompting police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them.
During the unrest, protesters have been teargassed, injured, and some rushed to hospitals in critical condition.
It has been reported that five people; three men and two women have died during the protests.
The protests have also spread to Nyendo, Masaka, where people took to the streets to demonstrate and demanded an immediate release of Kyagulanyi, in Iganga and in different parts of Jinja city and neighboring districts.
Bobi Wine is currently held at Nalufenya in Jinja.
Parliamentary candidates Abed Bwanika and Florence Namayanja have also been arrested in Masaka for allegedly spearheading the protests.
