Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has been injured in the leg in a confrontation with a policeman in uniform, his personal assistant has told the BBC.
Bobi Wine, a musician-turned-politician, has been a vocal critic of the Ugandan government, led by President Yoweri Museveni.
Najja Ssenyonjo said the pop star-turned-politician was believed to have been shot and was currently receiving treatment at Nsambya Hospital in the capital, Kampala.
Over the years, he has become a symbol of resistance for many Ugandans, particularly the youth, who see him as a beacon of hope in a political landscape that has been dominated by the same leadership for decades.
He said the incident had occurred while Bobi Wine was on his way to visit his lawyers in Bulindo, which is about 20km (12 miles) north of the city. A statement from the police said officers on site reported that the opposition leader had stumbled while getting into his vehicle.
However, his rise in politics has not been without challenges, and the recent attack is just one of many instances where he has faced violence and intimidation.
An investigation would be conducted to clarify the facts, the statement added. The X account of Bobi Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, first broke the news, saying: “@HEBobiwine has been shot in the leg by police in Bulindo.”
Kenyan Member of Parliament Babu Owino was quick to respond to the incident, sending a strong message to President Museveni and his son, who is a key figure in the Ugandan military.
In his message, Owino condemned the violence against Bobi Wine and called for greater respect for political leaders, regardless of their stance or age.
Footage has been shared on social media by journalist Solomon Serwanjja, who was at the scene, showing the 42-year-old opposition leader being helped from a building with a bleeding injury from his left shin.
He emphasized that such acts of violence are a clear violation of human rights and go against the principles of democracy.
"We only heard bullet sounds in the scuffle so it’s doctors to confirm but as of now it’s believed to be a bullet,” Mr Ssenyonjo told the BBC.
The shooting of Bobi Wine is more than just an attack on one individual; it is an attack on the very foundations of democracy. In any democratic society, the ability to express differing opinions and challenge the government is essential.
The police say Bobi Wine had attended an event at Bulindo and afterwards "he and his team moved out of their cars and embarked on a procession up to Bulindo town.
When political leaders are met with violence and intimidation, it sends a chilling message to others who may wish to speak out. It creates an environment of fear, where people are afraid to voice their opinions, knowing that they could be targeted as a result.
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