Bobi Wine criticises Museveni over Babu Owino attack

By Peter Ochieng

Ugandan opposition leader, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine has criticised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, after the Head of State called out a Kenyan Member of Parliament (MP) for allegedly causing chaos in Uganda.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi during the launch of ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship seat on Tuesday, Museveni accused Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino for reportedly working with anti-National Resistance Movement (NRM) groups, to cause chaos on Uganda.

Babu Owino and Bobi Wine are long time buddies, which has seen the two visit Kenya and Uganda frequently, before the Embakasi East MP was banned from visiting the country about five years ago.

“There are some individuals in Raila's group who think I don’t know what they are doing. I am a consumer of intelligence services. I always see intelligence service reports. There's a character called Babu. I always see Babu dealing with anti-NRM groups in Uganda,” the Ugandan president said.

However, in response while addressing what seems to be a rally of his National Unity Platform (NUP) in Uganda, Bobi Wine said Museveni’s attacks on Babu Owino are a sign that he is panicking.

“Museveni is panicking. We have Museveni surrounded from all corners. From Europe up to Kenya. You saw him fighting with my friend Babu Owino,” said the musician turned politician cum activist.

According to Wine, things will only get worse for Museveni, if continues to rule Uganda with a heavy hand. “When you go to Tanzania, you will face the same problem. You go to America, same problem, in Europe same problem because you are wasted. Free the people, let them be.”

In his response, Babu Owino said he respects Museveni as his grandfather and revolutionary. However, he said that Museveni’s rule may end badly if he continues to cling on power, citing the likes of Mobutu Sese Seko who assumed power as heroes but ended as villains.

Yoweri Museveni has been Uganda’s President for 38 years.