Police on Monday afternoon used tear gas and bullets to disperse crowds before arresting Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine.
The legislator cum singer was arrested at his One Love Beach in Busaabala, Wakiso district where he had gone for his Kyarenga Extra concert that police had earlier blocked for flouting security guidelines.
Riding in a grey Toyota TX, the singer defied police orders and stormed Busaabala, the venue for his concert Kyarenga Extra.
Police then surrounded the vehicle and towed it for a few metres before breaking one of its windows, threw in a tear gas cannister and arrested him.
Kyagulanyi was arrested together with fellow singer Nubian Li before being bundled into a waiting van and taken to an unknown destination.
Earlier, police had arrested Abbey Musinguzi of Abtex Promotions and Andrew Mukasa of Bajjo Events, the promoters of the concert at the same venue in Busaabala.
Police last week issued a communication to all its commanders directing them to block all planned concerts for Bobi Wine for flouting security guidelines in his earlier shows.
In a letter dated April 19, 2019, copied to Abbey Musinguzi of Abtex Promotions, the organiser of the Busabala the police director in charge of police operations, AIGP Asuman Mugenyi said management had failed to meet security guidelines at previous concerts prompting them to subsequently block the concert.
“This is to inform you that despite the elaborate and clear guidelines well stipulated in our correspondence and the previous meetings we had regarding the preparations, the manner, conduct, characteristics and security demands from your side, previous concerts have fallen short of agreed positions,” Mugenyi said.
Police however noted that the concerts can only continue when “robust” public security mechanisms are put in place to secure revelers and other people who might be affected.
In response, Bobi Wine said he would not simply sit and watch as his rights are being trampled upon by police.
“This brings the total number of our blocked concerts across the country to 124 since October, 2017. We shall not resist this impunity, “Bobi Wine posted on his social media pages.
Last year, the Kyarenga album launch at Namboole and Busaabala were blocked by police.
