By Our Reporter
Anger flared at the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) offices in Kampala on Monday as National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, sought a hearing for a complaint he filed five years ago against the state. The complaint pertained to the cancellation of over 20 music concerts that he was scheduled to perform at.
The musician-turned-politician accused the state machinery of blocking his music shows since November 9, 2018, due to his political affiliation and his public declaration that he would challenge President Museveni in elections.
During his presentation before the UHRC tribunal, Mr. Kyagulanyi emphasized Article 28 of the remaining Constitution of Uganda, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing. According to this provision, individuals are entitled to a fair, speedy, and public hearing before an independent and impartial court or tribunal.
However, Mr. Kyagulanyi expressed disappointment in the commission’s actions, stating that they were violating these rights despite being empowered by the Constitution to protect them. He questioned the prolonged delay in addressing a complaint related to human rights violations. His concerns included arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, prolonged detentions without trial, torture, sexual assault, trials of civilians in military courts on unfounded charges, and enforced disappearances. Some of these complaints had been brought to the commission, but security agencies continued to commit these crimes with impunity.
To their dismay, not only had there been inaction by the commission against the perpetrators, but they had also witnessed public statements from the commission’s leadership that belittled the victims and entirely blamed them. Mr. Kyagulanyi confronted the commission chairperson, Ms. Mariam Wangadya, about this during his submissions.
However, before he could complete his remarks, Ms. Wangadya interjected, asserting that she would not allow Mr. Kyagulanyi to disrespect the commission. She offered him the option to withdraw his complaint, emphasizing that she would not tolerate accusations against the commission for violating human rights. The visibly infuriated chairperson made it clear that he would not be allowed to speak further and instructed him to communicate through his lawyers.
However, the opposition leader repeatedly told the tribunal, “But you, madam chairperson, you have mocked the victims, the missing people. I hereby withdraw my complaint from this commission because it lacks impartiality and independence to hear it. This is supposed to be the human rights body helping people.”
In a formal complaint withdrawn on December 10, 2018, regarding violations of rights by the Uganda Police Force, Mr. Kyagulanyi stated that the police had unjustifiably blocked his music shows. He mentioned that he had planned a concert at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, in September 2018, which was blocked by the police, citing a lack of venue security by him and the organizers.
“Our client also organized another music show in Gulu District at Smiling Panda on December 2, 2018. Despite the organizers duly fulfilling the conditions, the police heavily deployed at the venue and denied entry to everyone, claiming they had received orders from above to block the show,” part of Mr. Kyagulanyi’s complaint read.
He added, “We have notified the police in writing about planned music shows, but they have consistently ignored the notifications and, in some cases, blocked the shows. As a musician and performing artist, a vocation he relies on to earn a living, our client has been subjected to arbitrary and illegal police conduct, violating his right to earn a gainful income.”
In the letter, Mr. Kyagulanyi’s lawyers informed the tribunal that he had incurred significant financial losses organizing these shows, hiring venues, advertising, renting public address systems, and paying support staff, only for the police to frustrate the events.
It was also stated that some service providers were threatening to sue him for breach of contract due to the cancellation of several shows in Masaka, Kalangala, and Mityana.
