Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has accused President Yoweri Museveni’s government of applying double standards in the electoral process following Tuesday’s nomination rally at Kololo Independence Grounds.
In a statement shared on social media, the National Unity Platform (NUP) president likened the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government to an apartheid regime, claiming that state institutions enforce one set of rules for Museveni’s party while harshly cracking down on the opposition.
“The NRM runs our country like an apartheid state with different laws applying to the criminal regime and its agents, and the others applying to the rest of us,” Bobi Wine wrote.
He pointed to recent warnings by the Electoral Commission, political leaders, and the police that campaign processions would not be allowed during nominations.
Yet, he argued, NRM supporters were permitted to stage rallies and processions around Kampala to celebrate Museveni’s candidacy.
“Byabakama, Mao, police etc have been shouting their voices hoarse saying there won’t be any processions. And today? The NRM criminals have been everywhere making processions. Hopefully tomorrow they won’t be brutalising citizens for celebrating our nomination event,” he added, ending his post with the hashtag #FreeUgandaNow.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, was formally nominated for another five-year term amid tight security at Kololo.
Bobi Wine is expected to be nominated on Wednesday, and his supporters have vowed to turn up in large numbers.