In Uganda, a pop star takes on a president, at his peril

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In Uganda, a pop star takes on a president, at his peril


In this photo taken Tuesday, July 11, 2017, Ugandan pop star Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, center, gestures to supporters shortly after being sworn in as a member of parliament in Kampala, Uganda. The 36-year-old “ghetto child” is a new member of parliament who urges his countrymen to stand up against what he calls a failing government but was charged Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018 in a military court over his alleged role in clashes in the northwestern town of Arua where both he and President Yoweri Museveni were campaigning. (Ronald Kabuubi/Associated Press)

By Rodney Muhumuza | AP
August 17 at 7:54 AM

KAMPALA, Uganda — In his red beret and jumpsuit the Ugandan pop star Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, leads cheering campaigners down a street, punching the air and waving the national flag.

Once considered a marijuana-loving crooner, the 36-year-old “ghetto child” is an unlikely new political phenomenon — and that appears to have put him in danger as an opposition figure taking on one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

The new member of parliament urges his countrymen to stand up against what he calls a failing government. His “Freedom” video opens with him singing behind bars: “We are fed up with those who oppress our lives.” He has protested against an unpopular social media tax and a controversial change to the constitution removing presidential age limits.

Read more at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/in-uganda-a-pop-star-takes-on-a-president-at-his-peril/2018/08/17/3d5df9c4-a1fc-11e8-a3dd-2a1991f075d5_story.html?utm_term=.815a24f40cb4