Comedian Obed Lubega Reign and several National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters have been temporarily freed on medical grounds after appearing before City Hall Court following their arrest during Bobi Wine Day activities.
Reign, NUP mobiliser Habib Buwembo and other supporters were arrested on Sunday, October 4, after travelling to Kitebi Primary School for a football match involving NUP elected leaders and party supporters, commonly known as “foot soldiers.”
The match was part of activities marking the second edition of Bobi Wine Day, a monthly NUP mobilisation campaign held on the first Sunday of every month in solidarity with party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said the group appeared before City Hall Court on Monday, October 5, following their arrest near the Kitebi Primary School grounds.
According to Rubongoya, the supporters were first examined at City Hall Clinic before being referred to Lubaga Hospital for X-rays and additional medical examinations.
Rubongoya alleged that the group had been assaulted and pepper-sprayed during their arrest.
“Having been heavily assaulted and pepper sprayed, they’ve been temporarily freed on medical grounds after being referred by City Hall Clinic to Lubaga Hospital for X-ray and other medical examinations.”
He added that the supporters remained in good spirits despite the incident.
“They’re of strong spirits. Supporting NUP is not a crime!”
The arrests disrupted the planned football activities at Kitebi, which were organised as part of the party’s monthly programme honouring Bobi Wine.
The latest development means the supporters have been released temporarily on medical grounds while the circumstances surrounding their arrests and the allegations made by NUP remain contested.
Rubongoya’s account of assault and pepper-spraying represents the NUP’s position on what happened during the arrests. No separate account from security authorities is provided in the supplied material.