Gov’t replies US on Bobi Wine, Besigye

By Francis Otucu

Responding to a statement released earlier by the US government, government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said rule of law and freedom do not mean ‘defiance’.

“Rule of law and freedoms don’t mean that politicians should defy or refuse to cooperate with the police at will as appears to with Uganda opposition. The statement added that strong leaders and states do not stifle speech but that they allow their citizens to participate fully and without fear in a vibrant multi-party democracy,” he said.

Ofwono added that it is a bigger crime for an opposition political leader to fail to cooperate.

“Am sure in the US it is a federal crime to attempt to obstruct the police or to conceal the truth,” he said.

Earlier, the US through its embassy in Uganda said it had joined the Ugandan people in calling on the government to respect the rights of Bobi Wine and that of Dr. Kizza Besigye.

This after Bobi Wine who also doubles as Kyadondo East lawmaker was put under house arrest by the military today, a day after the police blocked his music show for failing to meet the set guidelines while Besigye’s radio talk shows across the country have been disrupted by security agencies.