World News

Bobi Wine says bodyguard killed in violence ahead of poll

A bodyguard for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was killed and two journalists injured on Sunday amid violent confrontations between security forces and followers of the singer and lawmaker who is challenging the country’s longtime leader.

A tearful Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, said his bodyguard had died of his injuries after being allegedly run over by a truck belonging to the military police.

The victim, Francis Senteza, was attacked while helping to transport a journalist injured during an earlier confrontation between the police and a group of Bobi Wine’s supporters, he said.

Authorities did not immediately respond to the allegation that Senteza’s death was a deliberate killing.

Bobi Wine was campaigning on Sunday in parts of central Uganda where he has considerable support. As his convoy tried to proceed from one rally to the next, police fired tear gas into the crowd, injuring at least two journalists.

Bobi Wine Arrested

Cameraman Ashraf Kasirye, a member of a TV crew that follows Bobi Wine wherever he goes, suffered a serious head injury.
Police said in a statement that while trying to quell confrontations with Bobi Wine’s supporters, “journalists were regrettably caught up during the process of dispersing the violent group”.

Kasirye is in a critical condition after being apparently hit by a tear gas canister, it said.

The three casualties are the latest victims of the election-related violence as Uganda’s security forces are accused of trying to stop Bobi Wine from holding raucous public rallies.

Uganda faces growing pressure from the international community and rights watchdogs to respect human rights ahead of polls scheduled for January 14.

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Source: Aljazeera