Ugandan authorities have confirmed that Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine together with his counterpart, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake have been cleared to fly out of the country for specialized treatment.
In a telephone interview, Mr Emilian Kayima, police spokesperson said he will issue a statement to the effect.
According to Kayima, “Yes, they have been cleared but don’t hurry, I will issue a statement in the next few minutes.”
Mr Fred Nyanzi, Bobi Wine’s elder brother said the two were scheduled to leave the country later on Friday night.
“Bobi has been cleared and we want him to travel tonight (Friday night). We are heading to Entebbe to book the next flight to USA,” Mr Nyanzi said.
On Friday afternoon, the Ugandan government had sent a team of nine doctors led by Dr Byarugaba Baterana, the Mulago Hospital Executive Director to do confirmatory tests on Mr Zaake and Mr Bobi Wine.
It is not clear what the results from the tests were and whether they have informed government’s decision to allow the two legislators to finally travel for treatment.
Ugandan police had detained Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake at the country’s sole international airport, where supporters say they were trying to seek treatment abroad for injuries suffered while being tortured by the security forces.
Allegations that Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake were tortured had triggered widespread protests in the capital Kampala and other parts of the country.
The two were among a group of five lawmakers that were detained on August 13 in Uganda’s northwestern town of Arua, accused of throwing stones at a presidential convoy during the campaign for a vacant seat in parliament. Kyagulyani is a pop star, known by his stage moniker Bobi Wine
The Uganda Police halted the departure of the Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu at Entebbe International Airport,” police tweeted late on Thursday. “Given the fact that he is on bail, the police is concerned and await for guidance from the relevant government department.”
In a separate statement on Thursday police said they had also found Zaake at Entebbe early on Thursday, “trying to flee the country and accordingly apprehended him.” Kyagulanyi in particular has emerged as a formidable threat to Museveni’s 32-year rule, winning popular support through his music and strong criticism of the government.