Roads in Uganda were sealed off and barricades were erected around the country’s main international airport on Thursday, due to the expected arrival of a popular lawmaker and critic of President Yoweri Museveni, witnesses said.
A pop star turned politician, Robert Kyagulanyi, a 36 year old has been widely seen as posing a threat to Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986.
On Thursday, helicopters were seen above Entebbe International Airport south of the capital Kampala a day after authorities banned rallies to welcome Kyagulanyi home from the United States, where he received treatment for injuries he said were sustained during torture by security forces.
Kyagulanyi said on Wednesday via twitter – also known as Bobi Wine, said that he was “headed home” and showed a picture of himself at an airport holding a walking stick.
The lawmaker has pleaded not guilty to treason charges and said that he was beaten with an iron bar in detention in northern Uganda. The government denies the claims he made.
-Reuters
