Kenyan popular MP among youth circle, an ally of Uganda’s mass favorite, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine – the Kyandondo East MP, Babu Owino has condemned his travel ban to Uganda.
Mr Owino – the Embakasi East MP and Leader, Youth for Africa Movement was invited by Bobi Wine to attend his Kyalenga music concert on Saturday.
The gig Owino missed – attracted if not millions, then hundreds of thousands of fans, majority wearing red attires, including caps.
With few days to travel to Uganda for the Wine’s gig, government – through Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying Mr Owino was persona non grata.
This, according to a security source who spoke to this news website on condition of anonymity, came after the Kenyan MP invited Bobi Wine to Kenya and insulted President Museveni.
At that time, Bobi Wine who was released on Court bail after treason charges with more than 30 Ugandans, among them politicians, was in Nairobi on the invitation of his ally, Owino.
The two East African youthful politicians, mobilized youths, and had rallies in solidarity with Wine.
It was his time to come to the Pearl of Africa but he was denied entry.
“His coming to Uganda would cause security concern. We know Bobi Wine is his friend but it was not a right time for Uganda to host him,” a source said on Sunday.
Below, is Owino’s statement, verbatim.
“I will not be silenced!” – He says
I am in receipt of official communication from the Minister for Internal Affairs for Uganda General Haji Abubakar seeking to ban my travel to Uganda without special clearance from his office.
This draconian veto came just ahead of my trip to Kampala to attend the Kyalenga Festival yesterday. It is a backward and authoritarian response to my unequivocal support for Honorable Robert Kyagulanyi and the young people of Uganda against the tyranny of President Yoweri Museveni.
Honorable Bobi Wine and I remain brothers in ideology and no amount of intimidation will stop us from working together to liberate the people of Africa!
I wish to categorically state that General Haji’s ban will not deter me from agitating for greater democratic space in Uganda, Kenya and indeed, the entire continent. I will not falter in my pursuit for respect for human rights and the meaningful involvement of the youth in our nations’ affairs.
The arc of the moral universe may be long but it always bends towards justice. President Museveni must know that nothing lasts forever. He has overstayed his welcome and soon, the popular wishes of the Ugandan people will outweigh his use of force and violence.
I urge the youth in Uganda not to be discouraged from this minor setback, I will come to Uganda whether the guy is alive or dead. We will overcome!
Signed and dated,
Comrade Babu Owino,
MP, Embakasi East and Leader, Youth For Africa Movement.
Sunday, November 11, 2018.