Security forces in Uganda have detained more than 300 supporters and officials from the party of opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine since campaigning for a January election kicked off last month, his party’s spokesperson said on Tuesday. Pop star-turned-politician Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is challenging 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni for the second time after coming second in the last election in 2021. Now Africa’s fourth longest-ruling leader, Museveni’s government has changed the constitution twice to remove age and term limits, allowing him to remain in office since 1986. The arrests included scores detained this week in the capital Kampala, where Wine began campaigning on Monday, Joel Ssenyonyi, spokesperson for Wine’s party National Unity Platform (NUP), told Reuters. “Over 300 have been detained since the campaigns started. The regime is in panic, they are resorting to arrests to deter and instil fear in our people,” Ssenyonyi said.

Full report : Ugandan opposition says over 300 supporters detained in presidential campaign.