Harare, ZIMBABWE:
Ugandan 'People Power' founder, singer and Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine’s invitation to attend the Zimbabwe opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) conference turned into nightmare after he was arrested by security personnel.
The singer who had been invited by MDC chairperson Nelson Chamisa as a key note speaker at the event in the city Gweru, Zimbabwe, was rounded off by Zimbabwe security personnel at Robert Mugabe International Airport as soon as he touched down on Saturday.
Bobi, who was in company of his spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, were arrested at the airport and detained for over two hours.
“True, he was detained but released,”
a Zimbabwean Journalist confirmed to Nile Post.
a Zimbabwean Journalist confirmed to Nile Post.
MDC spokesperson Jacob Mufume, also confirmed the arrest of Bobi Wine by Zimbabwe security personnel.
“He was detained for over an hour, he will narrate his own ordeal,”
Mufume said, adding that;
‘ MDC condemns restriction of travel towards fellow Africans. We want Africans to be able to travel anywhere they want.”
Mufume said, adding that;
‘ MDC condemns restriction of travel towards fellow Africans. We want Africans to be able to travel anywhere they want.”
“This is what we have in Africa. We must liberate the continent of artificial borders created by capitalists, a Berlin in Germany led by a chap known as Otto von Bismarck.
“This is what authorities that respect colonial borders do. The MDC does not respect that. We want Africans to be able to travel anywhere they want,”
The singer was however released later and he delivered his speech to an opposition audience in Gweru, where he called for unity.
Source:Nile Post.
“As I was entering Zimbabwe at the airport, I had to sign, an understanding that I am not coming to Zimbabwe to sing,”
“I understand it because in some countries one has to get permission because I am known as a performer. I understood it.
“I also understood it because my music is not just entertainment. It is edutainment and that is why it has been banned in Uganda and other African countries that fear revolution through music,”
said Wine, before singing a rendition of Giant Mama Land.
Bobi Wine was not alone, also arrested was Babu Owino, the Kenyan MP for Embakasi and Kenyan opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna
Bobi Wine was not alone, also arrested was Babu Owino, the Kenyan MP for Embakasi and Kenyan opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna
All Wine and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) representatives Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna were detained at the airport for some two hours by state security agents who went on to demand that ODM secretary general Owino disclose to them contents of the speech he was going to deliver at the same event.
“I told them that I carry a message from my president, Raila Odinga and they can listen to my address today,” said Owino.
Odinga and late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai were close friends while their parties enjoyed mutual respect, having been in almost exact situations in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
At the Gweru event, a group of ZANLA liberation fighters pledged their allegiance to the MDC.
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