Stars protest lawmaker’s beating

Critic of Ugandan president grabbed at campaign stop

KAMPALA, Uganda — A pop star-turned-lawmaker is in “a lot of pain” after being beaten while in custody, the deputy speaker of Uganda’s parliament said Wednesday, as dozens of top musicians including Angelique Kidjo and Chris Martin condemned the “vicious” treatment.

Pressure was mounting on the government to free Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, who has emerged as an influential critic of longtime President Yoweri Museveni after winning a parliament seat last year.

“We pledge to remain vigilant about his ongoing detention and to use our voices … to raise awareness about his case,” said the letter also signed by Chrissie Hynde, Femi Kuti, Brian Eno and other global musicians.

The government denies allegations that it tortured Ssentamu, and the military released a video of the 36-year-old opposition leader smiling during the visit by the deputy speaker, Jacob Oulanyah.

“This should not have happened,” Oulanyah said of the beating. “It was not necessary. But it happened.”

Despite being in pain, Ssentamu was in a “humorous” mood during the visit, Oulanyah told reporters.

Ssentamu is expected to make an appearance in a military court on Thursday. He has not been seen in public since Aug. 13, when he was campaigning in an election to choose a lawmaker in the northwestern town of Arua.

Museveni also was in Arua at the time, campaigning for a rival candidate who eventually lost. While the president was departing, authorities said, his motorcade was pelted with stones by people associated with Ssentamu and the candidate he backed, Kassiano Wadri.

Ssentamu’s driver was shot and killed, allegedly by security forces.

Ssentamu, who is charged with illegal possession of firearms, was arrested with four other opposition lawmakers, three of whom face treason charges.

Security forces in recent days have violently put down street protests by Ugandans demanding Ssentamu’s release.