Pop star politician charged with treason

A Ugandan pop starturned-politician who opposes the longtime president was charged with treason in a civilian court yesterday, minutes after a military court dropped weapons charges.

The new charge was bound to bring fresh outrage after Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, alleged he had been severely beaten while in detention. The government denies it.

Ssentamu has emerged as an influential critic of President Yoweri Museveni after winning a parliament seat last year.

The 36-year-old Ssentamu had been charged last week with illegal possession of firearms for his alleged role in an incident in which Museveni’s motorcade was pelted with stones.

A military court freed him yesterday but he was re-arrested by police.