Why Did Zimbabwe Stop Bobi Wine From Performing at MDC Rally?

“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”

 ― George Orwell

His real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, but all over the world, he is known as Bobi Wine and his ever-increasing fame known no bounds.

Bobi Wine, who is a musician and MP in Uganda, is the most vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni - who has ruled the country for over three decades and refused to step down from office.

Bobi Wine and President Museveni have been at each other’s throats for some years now and despite his numerous arrests, ban and torture; it appears Bobi Wine is not ready to back down any time soon.

On an invitation to Zimbabwe to attend a rally event by MDC, the main opposition party in the country. The news that Bobi Wine was detained for hours by authorities of the country at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Saturday morning came as a surprise to many.

The Ugandan MP and musician, Bobi Wine told the Congress after his release that he was forced to sign an undertaking by Zimbabwean authorities to agree not to sing at the event.

He revealed this while delivering his speech at the event late Saturday.

"As I was entering Zimbabwe at the airport, I had to sign, an understanding that I am not coming to Zimbabwe to sing," he said.

"I understand it because in some countries one has to get permission because I am known as a performer. I understood it.

"I also understood it because my music is not just entertainment. It is edutainment and that is why it has been banned in Uganda and other African countries that fear revolution through music," said Wine, before singing a rendition of Giant Mama Land.”

Bobi Wine was not the only one who was detained in the country, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Representatives Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna were also detained at the airport security agents who demanded that ODM secretary general Owino discloses to them contents of the speech he was going to deliver at the same event.

"I told them that I carry a message from my president, Raila Odinga and they can listen to my address today," said Owino.

During the event, the party had to stop its voting process at the Ascot Stadium after the facility was plunged into darkness due to a power cut. Something critics said was carried out on order from the government.

At the Gweru event, a group of ZANLA liberation fighters pledged their allegiance to the MDC.

Why was Bobi Wine prevented from performing?

Header  Image Credit: NewZimbabwe.com