The Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Hon. Ssentamu Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine on Sunday 24th, March returned to Arua for the first time since the August 13th saga that led to his arrest and torture, for the thanksgiving ceremony of Arua Municipality MP, Mr Kassiano Wadri on Sunday.
Mr Kyagulanyi, who announced his intention to run for presidency in 2021 general elections, asked the crowd in Arua to register for national identification cards so that they can be eligible to participate in 2021 elections and protect the votes like they did in last year’s Arua Municipality by-election.
“I ask you to have that same courage and be firm. Be assertive to your rights. Do the same like we did in August last year,” Mr Kyagulanyi said.
The man behind the People Power movement also said that President Museveni’s days of being in power are numbered.
“I tell you (Museveni), your days are numbered. How can you say you went to the bush and fought for democracy yet you don’t even practise it in your NRM (National Resistance Movement) party even after 33 years?” Mr Kyagulanyi said.
Thousands of supporters turned to welcome Bobi Wine in Arua. Most of the supporters were donned in red clothes, berets, and ribbons tied on their heads, symbolizing their allegiance to the “People Power” movement.
Security was heavily deployed and every person was subjected to thorough body checks at the entrance.
A number of People Power inclined Members of Parliament including MP. Joseph Sewungu, Hon. Francis Zaake, Asuman Baslirwa, MP Gerald Karuhanga, Mp. Barnabas Tinkasimire including Gen Mugisha Muntu among others.
Mr. Wadri won the Arua municipality by-election in August last 2018, after beating Nusura Tiperu, the National Resistance Movement -NRM candidate in a hotly contested race.
But by the time of the declaration of results, he had been arrested alongside several other legislators and opposition supporters for allegedly pelting stones at the presidential convoy. He was later charged with treason.
