Supporters of singer-cum-politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine held a protest on Friday afternoon in Bugembe Town Council, paralysing traffic on the busy Jinja-Iganga Highway.
The supporters of the Kyadondo East legislator were demonstrating against the cancellation of Mr Kyagulanyi’s music concert that had been slated for Boxing Day at his One Love Beach in Busabala.
Mr Kyagulanyi’s supporters had planned a press conference at Bridge Way Hotel in Jinja on Friday morning but they cancelled it after realising that police were closely monitoring their activities.
Later, they changed the venue to Victoria Panorama Hotel in Walukuba-Masese Division in Jinja where they briefed journalists in the afternoon before holding their protest in Bugembe Town Council.
The protesters burnt car tyres and logs, blocking motorists on the busy highway. Armed police officers swiftly swung into action and dispersed the protestors.
Mr Epaphras Kibugudhom, one of the protestors, said Mr Kyagulanyi should be allowed to do his work just like other professionals in Parliament.
“If MPs who are lawyers, doctors are doing their work, what about Bobi Wine who is a musician? If President [Yoweri Museveni goes to Rwakitura every weekend to his farm, what about the musician who sings songs which mobilise people not to be violent while fighting for their rights?’’ Mr Kibugudho asked.
This comes after Ugandan police quelled protests in parts of Kampala, including Kamwokya where protesters burnt car tyres and logs to block roads.
On December 16, police also blocked the artiste from performing at Queen’s Palace in Jinja and arrested several of his fans.
We’ll continue blocking #BobiWine concerts – Gen Tumwine. Security minister says for his continued ‘defiance stance’ & copying of Kizza Besigye by opposing gov’t programs, gov’t has no option but to continue to ‘frustrate’ him https://t.co/O0mmXeY4Td #Uganda pic.twitter.com/qYCZ2GAPoW
— The Observer (@observerug) December 28, 2018