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The disturbing situation in Uganda escalated on Wednesday when presidential candidate and artist Bobi Wine was captured. Several people have been killed and journalists who tried to report on the events have been arrested.
The riots have been going on since October and started with college students demonstrating against the tuition increase. This was followed by several demonstrations in which the police brutally beat people.
“Museveni doesn’t like this”
Erik Halkjaer, President of Reporters Without Borders, comments on the incident in an interview with SVT.
– As soon as Bobi Wine is installed for electoral meetings or large public appearances, his followers and fans arrive who want to hear him, and of course there are journalists. Museveni, who is in power, does not like this, he says.
Less and less freedom of the press
Yoweri Museveni has been President of Uganda since 1986. For seven years, the country’s ranking in Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index has fallen.
– Uganda has plummeted 21 seats since 2013 and it is the entire period that Museveni has been in power. He’s been sitting longer than that, but his attacks and abuses against freedom of the press and journalists have increased over time in recent years, says Erik Halkjaer.
– It is about being very careful to remain in power and silence all forms of criticism and opposition.
