Hearing of Bobi Wine social media tax case flops again
Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine (right) and his co-accused in the dock at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court on October 28, 2019. PHOTO BU JULIET KIGONGO
What you need to know:
- It is alleged that Bobi Wine who doubles as Kyadondo East MP was holding a meeting with his fans to protest against the introduction of new social media tax (OTT) of Shs200 daily and mobile money tax by government mid last year.
The hearing of a case in which presidential hopeful, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, is accused of disobeying statutory duty has flopped for the second time in two months.
The Kyadondo East MP is accused alongside David Lule (Disc Jockey), Julius Katongole (student), Fred Ssentamu Nyanzi (businessman and a brother to Bobi) and Edward Sebufu (barber).
Bobi Wine on Monday appeared at Buganda Road Court only to be told by the trial magistrate Ms Esther Nahilya that the case could not be heard because David Lule was not in court.
His lawyer Mr Samuel Muyizi told court that they did not know why Lule did not show up in court yet they were in contact with him yesterday (Sunday).
Consequently, the magistrate adjourned the case to December 12 for hearing.
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Prosecution alleges that Bobi Wine and his co-accused on July 11, 2018, at City Square in Kampala District, disobeyed Sections 5 and 10 of the Public Order Management Act (POMA) 2013 by holding a public meeting without giving notice to any authorized officer, holding a public meeting without adhering to the required criteria and refusing to cooperate with the police.
It is alleged that Bobi Wine who doubles as Kyadondo East MP was holding a meeting with his fans to protest against the introduction of new social media tax (OTT) of Shs200 daily and mobile money tax by government mid last year.
Addressing journalists after court, the pop star turned leading opposition figure, who has announced he is running for president against Mr Museveni in 2021 said his lawyers will challenge the Buganda Road Court case in the Constitutional Court.
“This case arises from trumped up charges to oppress us and scare any emerging dissent voices. This is not the first time such cases are brought against Opposition figures. President Museveni does this all the time to scare members of the Opposition because we're trying to challenge him. We won't give up,” he said.
“As you know, a petition challenging POMA was filed in the Constitutional Court and we're still waiting for the court ruling. We were charged under this law but I’m hopeful that once the Constitutional Court quashes POMA, then this case (t Buganda Road Court) will not stand.”
