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Former Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine says he has been arrested in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The National Unity Platform leader landed in Dubai at 8:30pm on Friday and was reportedly held by airport authorities.
“It’s now 5am. I have been held and interrogated for 8 hours,” his social media handler tweeted on Bobi Wine’s official Twitter account.
“They asked me about NUP, it’s leaders, their phone numbers, my family members & their contacts!”
Landed in Dubai at 8:30pm. It’s now 5am. I’ve been held & interrogated for 8hrs. They asked me about NUP, it's leaders, their phone numbers, my family members & their contacts! I have all necessary travel docs. They’ve confiscated my passport & my phone. Am literary under arrest.
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) October 8, 2022
Bobi Wine claimed that although he had all necessary travel documents, they (Dubai airport authorities) confiscated his passport and phone.
“Am literary under arrest. Been held at the airport for almost 10 hours, being interrogated mostly about NUP!” he tweeted.
The musician turned politician is in Dubai to perform at a charity concert to assist some of the Ugandan immigrant workers.
In Dubai to perform at a charity concert to assist some of the Ugandan immigrant workers. Been held at the airport for almost 10 hours, being interrogated mostly about NUP! My phone and passport have now been returned. Hopefully things go as planned. Will give an update. Thanks
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) October 8, 2022
An hour later, he tweeted saying his phone and passport had been returned to him.
“My phone and passport have now been returned. Hopefully things go as planned. Will give an update. Thanks.”
“We hope the authorities in Dubai are not trying anything ridiculous. Given the kind of questions they are asking him, this has nothing to do with immigration requirements, he’s clearly being held for political reasons.
Unacceptable!!” said NUP spokesperson Hon Joel Ssenyonyi.
This communication has been made by the admin.
We hope the authorities in Dubai are not trying anything ridiculous. Given the kind of questions they are asking him, this has nothing to do with immigration requirements, he's clearly being held for political reasons.
Unacceptable!! https://t.co/jEmsc9ExQV— Joel Ssenyonyi (@JoelSsenyonyi) October 8, 2022