Bobi to Museveni: Grandfathers don’t brutalise grandchildren  

Mr Kyagulanyi addresses journalists at his home in Magere, Wakiso District. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

Kyaddondo East Member of Parliament, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine Monday asked President Yoweri Museveni to treat citizens the way he would wish to be treated, the day he will be out of power.

“Mr President, just like there was a time when you were not in power, there will be a time when you will not be in power. So, treat people the way you would want to be treated,” Mr Kyagulanyi said.

Mr Kyagulanyi, who last week returned to Uganda from the US where he received specialised treatment following his detention and torture last month, at the hand of Uganda’s security operatives, told journalists that Ugandans who want to be in charge of the destiny will not be silenced by what he termed as state brutality.

“Many times you Museveni have reminded us how you are our grandfather but how we are treated does not represent that. I believe a grandparent should not brutalise and frame grandchildren when they try to raise their voices,” he said.

Mr Kyagulanyi, uses a walking stick to join journalists at his home in Magere, Wakiso District. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

 Message to security forces

He said all Ugandans irrespective of the profession, religious and political affiliation should be concerned be concerned about the state of the country and do something to change it.

“We are not fighting you [the police force and UPDF], we are fighting for you, because you are also Ugandans that are going through the same challenges like us,” he said.

People power explained

He said People Power is not a political party. It is an idea that all power, not some power belongs to the people as provided for in Article 1 of our Constitution.

He said because of the way the government treats people, Ugandans have decided to invoke and implement that constitutional provision.

He said that it is an idea for those in the ruling National Resistance Movement, Democratic Party, Forum for Democratic Change, Jeema and other political groups whose supporters are able to see that Uganda needs new leadership.

“It is for the person whose parents sold land to send them to school but they cannot get a job. It’s an idea for the boda boda riders who cannot make ends meet. It is for the investors who are not sure what they invest will be profitable. It’s for everyone,” he said.

He said various legal teams are working day and night to secure the freedom of people who were detained for supporting the People Power cause.

He said the current “fire fighting” approach of the government to give money and other incentives to the unemployed youth and women in villages, towns and slum areas, under the guise of ending poverty and unemployment, cannot solve the current crisis.