Swabrah Kiganda’s husband, popularly known as Bobi Giant, has been arrested in Uganda on charges of holding an illegal assembly, sparking renewed concerns about political repression ahead of the country’s January elections.
Bobi Giant, a close aide to opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi—better known by his stage name Bobi Wine—was taken into custody this week. Bobi Wine condemned the arrest, calling the charges politically motivated and part of a wider campaign to weaken his movement.
Opposition leaders claim that dozens of their supporters have been detained in recent weeks, with some tortured in custody. Human rights activists were particularly alarmed after allegations surfaced that the president’s son had boasted online about the abuse of a detained activist.
Government officials, however, deny sanctioning torture and insist that any victims should file formal complaints. They argue that law enforcement actions are in line with maintaining public order.
Uganda’s electoral climate is already tense. Past polls have been marred by violence, intimidation, and mass arrests. At a recent by-election, security forces were accused of attacking both voters and journalists, though the government blamed opposition supporters for sparking unrest.
Rights groups warn that unchecked abuses—ranging from arbitrary arrests to extrajudicial killings—are eroding the credibility of the electoral process. They caution that unless accountability is enforced, Uganda’s upcoming vote is unlikely to be free or fair.
