The UPDF has said that Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine who is currently under military detention will be accorded the necessary medical care.
This follows reports by Bobi Wine’s lawyers Asuman Basalirwa and Medard Ssegona who said the MP is in a dire state.
Bobi Wine was Thursday arraigned before the military court martial in Gulu district and charged with illegal possession of a fire arm, which ordinarily is a monopoly of the military.
The court session which was closed to the press was only witnessed by Bobi Wine’s lawyers.
But they say that the legislator was in a worrying condition as he was badly beaten by security upon his arrest.
“Mr Kyagulanyi’s health is in dire state,” Medard Ssegona is quoted by The Guardian as having said.
“He is in great pain. He can’t talk, he can’t walk, he sits with a lot of difficulty, his face is swollen and he cannot see,” Segona alleged.
“He couldn’t speak when the charges were read to him and I believe he didn’t know what was going on or understood the charges read to him”.
It is suspected that the decision to stop the press from covering the proceedings could have been deliberate, to prevent the public from seeing the situation in which Bobi Wine was. On Thursday, his wife, Barbie Itungo was also denied access to see him at the Gulu military barracks hours before the court sat.
Many people have since taken to social media using hashtags #FreeBobiWine and #ReleaseBobiWine criticizing government and the security agencies for perpetrating such human rights violations.
Now, the army spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire has said that the military will ensure Bobi Wine gets adequate medical treatment.
“For whatever condition Hon Kyagulanyi may be in as result of the whole ARUA fracas, UPDF will ensure he receives adequate medical attention now that he is under its safe custody,” Brig Karemire said.
“His family will also be to able to visit as per established procedure,” he added.
Bobi Wine was Thursday airlifted from Gulu to Makindye military barracks in Kampala where he is currently detained.