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At least 37 people have died and hundreds have been arrested during unrest in Uganda sparked by the arrest of presidential candidate and pop star Bobi Wine, police said on Friday as the East African country prepares for the January elections.
Authorities have deployed the army in the capital, Kampala, and surrounding areas to help police forces disperse the protesters. They have used live bullets, tear gas and water cannons in an effort to quell the unrest.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, was arrested on Wednesday while campaigning in eastern Uganda for allegedly holding mass demonstrations in violation of government-imposed meeting restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
“So far 37 bodies have been counted,” police pathologist Moses Byaruhanga told Reuters.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga said the detained protesters were involved in acts of violence that included attacks against members of the public who do not support Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party.
“What we have seen in the last days, which is violence, vandalism, looting, intimidation and threats, are crimes that were being committed (against) people who are not pro-NUP. This is not something we can tolerate.”
Wine, 38, was due to appear in court Friday to be indicted, court officials said.
Uganda, a nation of 42 million people, is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on January 14, and Wine looms as a serious threat to veteran President Yoweri Museveni, 76, who aims to extend his rule to at least 40 years.
Wine has amassed a large following among Ugandan youth, drawn by his bold criticism of the government, often in his song lyrics.
His arrest sparked immediate protests in Kampala and other major cities in the East African country. The youths burned tires and other materials on the roads and erected barriers to block traffic, demanding their release.
Reuters
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