Kenyan Lawyer and political activist Miguna Miguna, has criticised National Unity Platform(NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine over traveling to the United States of America to seek support from Western powers.
On Wednesday, Bobi Wine took to his social media handles to announce that he had traveled to Washington DC in the U.S to start international engagements including meetings on Capitol Hill.
However, Miguna Miguna was quick to critic the Ugandan opposition leader for choosing the United States, which he referred to as the headquarters for war crimes and human rights violations, as the place to start from for any African freedom fighter to start his revolutionary campaign from.
“The wrong place to start and pose for images. Washington DC is the headquarters of imperialism, genocide, war crimes and human rights violations. No legitimate Pan-African or Freedom Fighter takes pride in the that citadel of slavery and savagery” he posted.
However Miguna’s comment struck a nerve, quickly igniting debate among activists, intellectuals, and political observers across the continent.
“Well, Mr wannabe president, that same “imperialist country” is the same one your country has recently signed a 5-year, $2.5 billion Health Cooperation Framework apparently aimed at strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system. So it’s good country when you benefit and bad for others” Frank Bogere mocked Miguna who recently announced his bid to run for Presidency in Kenya.
Raymond Herman, reminded Miguna the importance of powerful Western allies like US, since they are the same powers that retain African leaders in power.
“In order to fight African imperialists and tyranic dictators ,such starts and partnerships must be embraced, without them, it’s always hard to dig them out of power since they also use the same platforms as a mean of consolidating themselves in power, therefore we welcome it” he posted.
Miguna further infuriated people online when he suggested that Bobi Wine would have gone to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, when pressed on where Kyagulanyi should have launched his campaign.
“Did you want him to go to Kenya only to be abducted the same way it was done to kizza Besigye! East Africa is now a death trap, you can’t anywhere around there and you think you’re safe!” he posted.
According to photos shared on X, Bobi Wine reportedly discussed a comprehensive review of Uganda-U.S relations, alleged human rights violations in the country and encroachment on civil liberties.
“On Capitol Hill today @HEBobiwine met a bi-partisan team from both @SFRCdems-@SenateForeign and @HouseForeign -@HouseForeignGOP. In a candid conversation H.E R.S Kyagulanyi emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the U.S-Uganda relations, the depleting state of democratic principles and most of all the violation of human rights and civil liberties by state agencies,” said an NUP diaspora member.
However, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Adonia Ayebare, called Bobi Wine’s travel to the US and meetings were a publicity stunt.
“This is a publicity stunt rather than a substantive engagement , anyone can engage people at the Hill. If the Uganda government was interested in blocking your travels they would have issued an Interpol red notice. You’re free to return home as you have yourself stated publicly and address what ever grievances you have. Your handlers like @Smith_JeffreyT will struggle to deliver because Uganda stands out as a beacon of hope in the current geopolitical environment .@mkainerugaba @Tom_Magambo” he posted.
Bobi Wine, who surfaced in Washington after nearly two months in hiding during the talks, urged international financial organisations to trace public funds misused by President Yoweri Museveni’s Government.
