Raila Odinga’s ODM party has released a statement condemning the illegal detention of Ugandan pop star politician Bobi Wine whose official names are Robert Kyagulanyi.
In the Statement which was posted on Twitter by ODM Director of Communications Phillip Etale, the party said that it has been watching with a lot of concern as Bobi and his colleagues were tortured by authorities.
“We have monitored the situation quietly with the expectation that the various interventions from across the world would bring pressure to bear on the regime to do the right thing but are now forced to speak out due to the deterioration of affairs in the country.”
The statement comes at a time when Kenyans were wondering why Raila, who is regarded as the father of democracy in East and Central Africa has been so silent on the matter. The former Prime Minister recently returned from Germany.
You can read the whole Statement below:
ODM STATEMENT ON BOBI WINE
“For several weeks now, we have watched with concern ongoings in Uganda with regard to the arrest, torture and sham prosecutions of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known better by his stage name, Bobi Wine and his other Colleagues.
We have monitored the situation quietly with the expectation that the various interventions from across the world would bring pressure to bear on the regime to do the right thing but are now forced to speak out due to the deterioration of affairs in the country.
ODM STATEMENT ON BOBI WINE
For several weeks now, we have watched with concern ongoings in Uganda with regard to the arrest, torture and sham prosecutions of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known better… https://t.co/vFQyUWHV3a
— Philip Etale (@EtalePhilip) August 31, 2018
Uganda is a key cog in the East African Community, a key trading partner of Kenya and a country whose stability, or lack thereof, often has an impact on Kenya.
Besides, the barely concealed tendency of its President, Yoweri Museveni, to assert political influence on its neighbours, including Kenya, makes it a country of great interest to us as a Party.
In its eleven years of existence, the Orange Democratic Movement has remained steadfast in its fight for freedom and justice, and remains cognizant of the fact that greater freedom, not just in Kenya, but across Africa, is key to democracy and development of all Africans.
The assault on the freedom of Hon Kyagulanyi and his colleagues does not sit well with this principle. We are saddened by the fact that even after leaving custody with injuries that needed treatment abroad, Hon Kyagulanyi was stopped from leaving Uganda, and in the most callous and inhumane manner.
We urge all parties in Uganda to urgently embrace the values of democracy and justice, for ultimately, dictatorship in the modern world remains unsustainable. More importantly, we demand that the rights, dignity and freedom of Hon Kyagulanyi be respected by the regime. In particular he must be allowed to immediately access the medical attention he deserves on humanitarian grounds. There are no two ways about this.
We will keep an eye on these unfolding events, as we encourage the forces of democracy and peaceful revolution to remain unwavering and firm in their resolve to make our countries more responsive to the needs of their people.”
Edwin Sifuna
Secretary General,
Hon. John Mbadi, CPA
Chairman
Orange Democratic Movement
Republic of Kenya