Bobi Wine released on bail as death toll hits 38

Bobi Wine being arrested by police

What you need to know:

He was granted a non-cash bail of Shs1m and his sureties Shs5m each. These are Jinja East MP Paul Mwiru and Manjiya County MP, John Baptsit Nambeshe.

Kampala.Uganda's opposition Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has been granted bail by the Iganga Chief Magistrates Court after two days in custody.

Mr Kyagulanyi is charged with doing an act likely to spread infectious diseases, under Section 171 of the Penal Code Act.

He was granted a non-cash bail of Shs1m and his sureties Shs5m each. These are Jinja East MP Paul Mwiru and Manjiya County MP, John Baptsit Nambeshe.

A protestor carrying Uganda's National Flag being arrested by police

Bobi Wine who appeared before the chief magistrate Jessica Chemeri, after two days in police detention, pleaded not guilty of the charge read to him.

“This case should not be Uganda against Kyagulanyi, it should be Uganda against Museveni. It should be Museveni in this dock,” he told court.

The presidential hopeful was arrested on Wednesday shortly after arriving at his campaign venue in Luuka District and detained at Nalufenya Police Station in Jinja District.

On granting him bail, the Kyadondo East legislator was ordered to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during his campaign meetings. These include ensuring that the people attending his campaign meetings wash their hands, maintaining social distance, wearing of masks and curfew time.

He is expected back in court for further mentioning of his case on December 18, 2020.

Death toll

The 38-year-old pop star and politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, was arrested on Wednesday while campaigning in eastern Uganda for the January 14 general elections.

He was charged with holding mass rallies in violation of restrictions on gatherings imposed by the government to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Earlier on Friday, authorities deployed the military across the capital Kampala and surrounding areas to help the police disperse protesters. The security forces have arrested hundreds, and used live bullets, tear gas and water cannon in efforts to quell the unrest

.