Politics

Uganda: Bobi Wine faces fresh hurdle as police stop opening of new offices, halt mobilization

Published

3 weeks ago

September 14, 2023

The Police in Uganda have banned nationwide mobilisation activities and the opening of new offices by the Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine-led National Unity Platform (NUP).

Police spokesman, Fred Enanga claimed that NUP had broken the rules that established it as its leader, Bobi Wine has been touring the nation’s major cities nonstop since August 28 and drawing sizable audiences.

The politician had revealed that he was aware that the government was moving to block his activities or potentially hold him “answerable to his recent remarks”.

“The mobilisation activities were used to incite violence, promote sectarianism and make a legitimate cause for removal of an elected government and issuance of defamatory statements against President Yoweri Museveni,” he said, with an emphasis on a directive signed by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigaazi.

“We’ve noticed that in all areas where NUP mobilisation activities have been carried out, there have been total breaches of the guidelines thus causing public disorder, loss of business, unnecessary jam and vandalisation, loss of lives where Norman Mugisa died and 10 others were injured in a NUP convoy,” he explained.

In their defence, the NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi insisted that the party was not discouraged and revealed that “very soon, the party is going to unveil our schedule for phase two of our tour. We’re not about to stop!!”

“We’re going to put an end to the mob mentality, bullying and intimidating tactics of NUP radicals against civilians and law enforcers,” he remarked in Kampala.

Wine has a history of confrontation with Ugandan authorities. In November 2020, he was arrested for allegedly violating COVID-19 protocols during his presidential campaign in Uganda.

He was a strong contender for the presidential election in 2021, but Yoweri Museveni, the incumbent president in power since 1986, was declared the winner of the presidential election with 58.64% of the vote, despite the U.S. State Department describing the electoral process as “fundamentally defective.”

Related Topics:Bobi Wine Featured Uganda

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Politics

Tunisian opposition leader, Ghannouchi to begin hunger strike in prison

Published

3 days ago

September 30, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Embattled Tunisian opposition leader, Rached Ghannouchi, who has been a political prisoner since April, has threatened to begin a hunger strike in captivity.

Ghannouchi’s party, Ennahda made the announcement in a statement on Friday, stating that the 82-year-old fierce critic of President Kais Saied, has now decided to stay without food.

Ghannouchi was convicted in absentia in May after his refusal to appear before judges on the grounds that the accusations were false and the prosecution was politically motivated.

Along with other jailed opposition figures, who accuse Saied of a coup for closing the elected parliament and implementing rule by decree, he is also accused of planning against state security.

Since coming into power, President Saied has been firm on dissenting voices in the country. More than 20 political personalities, including Ghannouchi, have been detained by the police this year on suspicion of attempting to undermine state security.

Politics

Rwanda President, Kagame announces major cabinet shuffle

Published

4 days ago

September 28, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Barely a week after he confirmed his intention to seek his country’s presidency for a fourth time, Rwandan President, Paul Kagame has announced a major cabinet shuffle.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente on Wednesday on behalf of the President.

In place of Ms. Clare Akamanzi, who had held the position for a long time, Kagame named Gen. James Kabarebe, a recently retired former minister of defence, as the new State Minister of Foreign Affairs. Gen. Kabarebe replaced the long-serving Ms. Akamanzi.

Francis Gatare, an economist who most recently served as the Senior Economic Advisor in the President’s Office since 2021, has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of RDB.

Gatare previously held the position of CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board, gaining extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. Shortly after being appointed, Mr Gatare declared that the key to Rwanda’s economic growth would be to advance public-private partnerships.

“I am humbled by the trust and confidence, thank you HE @PaulKagame for the new assignment. Honoured to join the super talented and committed team at @RDBrwanda and pledge to give it my all, to listen and learn. The Vision: Advance Public-Private partnership as the engine of Rwanda’s Economic growth.” said Gatare in a tweet posted on Thursday shortly after his appointment.

The Prime Minister, Ministers, Ministers of State, and additional members selected by the President make up Rwanda’s Cabinet. Members of the Cabinet are chosen from political organizations based on the number of seats they hold in the Chamber of Deputies, but they are not permitted to be members of the Chamber themselves.