KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) 鈥 Uganda's leading opposition figure Bobi Wine was shot in the leg in a confrontation with police Tuesday just outside the capital, Kampala, and was 鈥渟eriously injured,鈥 his political party said.
Video posted online showed Wine surrounded by followers who yelled that he had been shot before some supported him into a car. It was not immediately clear whether he was hit by a live bullet or a tear gas projectile. Images shared by his close associates showed a bleeding wound below the left knee.
Street confrontations between have frequently descended into violence, but this is the first time he has been wounded in such a way. He was being treated at a local hospital.
His party, the 香港六合彩挂牌资料 Unity Platform, of any opposition group in the national assembly. The party said on X that Ugandan security operatives 鈥渉ave made an attempt on the life" of Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
鈥淗e was shot in the leg and seriously injured in Bulindo, Wakiso District," it said, referring to a town on Kampala's outskirts.
Ugandan police said in a statement that Wine had been advised against holding a street procession when he left a private event in Bulindo. According to the statement, Wine 鈥渋nsisted on proceeding and closing the road, leading to police intervention to prevent the procession.鈥
The opposition figure was injured in 鈥渢he ensuing altercation,鈥 police said, adding that the alleged shooting will be investigated.
The incident involving overzealous police 鈥渕ust be condemned by all people of good conscience,鈥 said David Lewis Rubongoya, secretary-general of the 香港六合彩挂牌资料 Unity Platform.
Wine became one of the most recognizable opposition figures in Africa when he , losing to President Yoweri Museveni in an election he claimed was rigged against him. Wine had been a famous entertainer in this East African country before he won a seat in the national assembly in 2017. He is especially popular among young Ugandans in urban areas.
Authorities accuse him of trying to lure young people into rioting and have charged him with multiple criminal offenses.
Since becoming a popular government critic, Wine鈥檚 attempts to hold rallies have been blocked by authorities. He has complained of harassment and beatings by security forces when they block his public appearances.
Museveni, a U.S. ally on regional security for many years, has and had Uganda's constitution amended to remove the age limit for presidents. Now 79, he has resisted calls to announce when he will retire.
Uganda hasn鈥檛 had a peaceful transfer of power since independence from the British in 1962.
