Free Julian Assange, then mind your business: Ugandans tell US politicians demanding Bobi release

A legion of Ugandans has taken to social media to lambast a clique of US politicians who are demanding for the ‘immediate’ release of Kyadondo East legislator and singer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine.

Bobi Wine was arrested yesterday as he headed to the CID headquarters in Kibuli, he was consequently paraded in court and charged with disobedience of statutory duty, contrary to section 116 of the Penal Code Act, an offence committed in July 2018.

He was remanded to Luzira Prison until Friday this week. Following his remand, politicians in the USA led by California congress representative Brad Sherman took to social media calling for his ‘immediate’ release.

“I am deeply troubled to learn that Uganda has arrested @HEBobiwine again for holding an unauthorised protest. I've met Bobi and his family several times. The government of Uganda should release him immediately,” Sherman tweeted.

A one Daniel Obal in reply to Sherman asked him to respect Uganda’s sovereignty.

“Uganda is a sovereign country, and shall in adjudication of disputes follow the law BUT NOT be directed by worst still non citizens. I pray for a speedy trial for @HEBobiwine and that his rights are preserved as he is free until proven guilty.”

Benard Mukasa also later questioned Sherman; “Where does a US Senator get the authority to direct an independent state to do something?

Vincent Masaba also urged Sherman to concentrate on what he ably represents in the US instead of pushing his interests in internal political matters of Uganda.

“Why don't you forward the reason why he was arrested? Stay calm Bobi wine will be bailed on Thursday and ultimately he will get his freedom. However i caution you Mr Brad Sherman to stay out of the internal political affairs of Uganda. We are not into anarchy.”

Louis Mbaine also added; “You guys want to disturb our country, he is not the first to go to prison, court remanded him to prison, why do say government imprisoned him.”

Nayenga Nelson Emmanuel asked Sherman to stop disrespecting Uganda because of his meeting with Bobi and family.

“We may not be comfortable with Bobi Wine's arrest but these people should stop disrespecting us. It's not right for Mr Brad to start making directives premised on meeting someone and his family.”

Wabinyai Fidel: “You agree he held unauthorised protest. So breaking the law is OK so long as it's Bobi Wine.”

Kakooza Isaac: "Ha ha.... Should be released just because you met him and his family. You better put forward a good reason for his release or else you are spoiling for him."

Kalule Ahmed: “Some of these chaps are overrated! How can someone in their right frame of mind tweet something like this? You acknowledge that @HEBobiwine has committed a crime! Why should he be released immediately? Who are you to direct another nation to release a prisoner?”

Kankiriho Kaziro: “Free Julian Asange, then we talk.”

Kimany Kiongo:  "As a Kenyan, I kindly request you and your masters to completely stay away from Ugandan politics because we don't want another African country to go down like Libya.  Ugandans have all it takes to get a revolution without any colonial support as Sudan their neighbours has done."

Nyine Obwenje: "Am not in support of @HEBobiwine arrest but c'mon Rep you want him released because you have met him and his family several times."

Bob Mendez, a representative for New Jersey in the US senate condemned Uganda government, saying that persecuting Bobi Wine would not make it popular.

“Persecuting political opponents won’t make the government in #Uganda more popular. Eroding civil liberties, attacking fundamental freedoms, and closing political space is a sign of weakness—NOT strength. Mr. Wine must be released immediately,” he said.

Mendez was also not spared of Uganda’s and other Africans elsewhere calling him to order.

Lewis Mur: “Live alone every country in the world...!! Why do we have to impose our rules, our laws and tell them what they have to do...? On the name of freedom and liberty or in the name of our interests...?

George Omaria: “And who are you to issue orders to other countries?? You're a joke if you think we'll listen to orders from former colonialists.”

Former New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark also called some flak when she tweeted;

“Very distressing to see #Uganda opposition MP & popular musician #BobiWine detained again. Last year in detention he was beaten & tortured. International solidarity is vital to protect Bobi's health & life #FreeBobiWine,” she said.

Justus Byarugaba: “Mind your business. This is Uganda and we handle our own issues. If you care so much about him and love him, take him to your country and let him be the president. Mutwiiheho akajoogo.”

Lilian Aber: “Are you the one misleading him to violate laws in Uganda, disrupt traders, disrupt movement around the city? Well Uganda has laws in place and no one is above the law.”

Asiimwe Bosa Fred: “Mind your business. Uganda is independent state and it has got its constitution and judiciary system.”

In a strange show of irony, Clark instead started condemning people against trolling her page with comments that are divergent to her views.

“You are not welcome to troll this page with such absurd statements,” she dismissed the views.

Notwithstanding, another equal section of Ugandans expressed their gratitude for the concern the politicians abroad had for the country and Bobi Wine, asking for more support in terms of physical military interference or aid freezing.

Uganda government deputy spokesperson, Rtd Col. Shaban Bantariza called upon Bobi Wine’s international crusaders to come to Uganda and fetch him through the legal procedures.

“Let them come to Uganda and represent him in court. Everything is subject to the law, even the president who has the right to free prisoners can only do so after conviction. Hence if they want so much to have him released, he is appearing in court a few days later, they can come and represent him legally,” he said.

“I also advise those politicians abroad to come and check all prisons in Uganda, they will know that we have thousands of prisoners on different crimes and not only Bobi Wine. Unless they want to claim that there are no people arrested in the countries where they come from! This is legal procedure everywhere in the world, including where they (US politicians) come from,” he added.

Bobi Wine met the same politicians abroad last year

Following his arrest and release in August last year, Bobi Wine went for treatment in USA where he met and held several discussions with the above US politicians and personalities.

During the time, he met Jeffrey Smith who has since been an ardent supporter of Bobi Wine ideologies, expressing his belief that Bobi Wine indeed would change Uganda and shock the ruling class.

Sherman on the other hand while meeting Bobi Wine on September 6 claimed their meeting ‘underlined the importance of the democratic process as well as those who have and continue to suffer from political oppression in #Uganda.’

Sherman would also later become a central aspect in Bobi Wine’s activities, at one time trying to help the singer deliver a speech to the US congress.