36-year-old Ugandan lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, is on remand at Gulu Main Prison in northern Uganda on a treason charge.
The Kyadondo East MP, who has caused an international outcry since his arrest on August 13th, appeared before two courts on Thursday.
The General Court Martial set him free after dropping charges of illegal possession of firearms. He was later rearrested and charged with treason at Gulu Magistrate's Court.
Why is Bobi Wine popular?
The 36-year-old musician-turned-politician started making music in the early 2000s, crafting his music in the local language of "Luganda" and sometimes English.
His earlier songs like Akagoma, Funtula, and Sundaamong others brought him into the limelight, winning hearts of the local music lovers countrywide.
Wine is also a graduate of music, dance and drama at Uganda's oldest university, Makerere. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Arts. In February, he enrolled for a course on Leadership for the 21st Century at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Ghetto President
Bobi Wine was raised from the poor neighbourhood of Kamwokya which is highly characterised by the "ghetto environment".
His ability to continue recording music and living in the poor neighbourhood of Kamwokya earned him the title of "Ghetto President".
His singing mate, Nubian Lee, is his vice-president and oversees the full operation of his recording studio in Kamwokya.
How did he become active in politics?
The father of four joined active politics in 2017 when he announced his candidacy in the Kyadondo East constituency by-election.
Wine's popularity amassed him a mammoth support -- not only as just a celebrated musician but also as a new generational leader who has been standing up against issues affecting the youth.
He won the Kyadondo East by-election as an independent candidate with a landslide victory, defeating ruling party's Sitenda Sebalu and opposition's Apollo Kantinti.
While taking an oath at Parliament, the self-proclaimed ghetto president said: "If Parliament cannot come to the Ghetto, the ghetto will come to Parliament; so I want you to know that the ghetto has come to the Parliament of Uganda".
Opposing Museveni's life presidency
In December 2017, 6 months after becoming MP, Bobi Wine was among the lawmakers who strongly opposed the ruling party's decision to amend the Constitution and abolish the presidential age limit.
Before the Constitution was amended, several MPs, including Wine, were suspended from Parliament for continuously singing the national anthem and heckling during the debate.
Some lawmakers were manhandled by security operatives and taken to unknown locations. Some MPs sustained severe injuries and were flown abroad for specialised treatment.
The constitution was later amended and the presidential age limit was abolished, open doors for Museveni to contest again in 2021.
The Kingmaker
Wine's political influence has earned him a new moniker in town, the "kingmaker".
He has championed the victory of candidates he has campaigned for -- the recent being Kassiano Wadri, the newly elected Aruau Municipality MP.
The 36-year-old attracts a mammoth crowd at political rallies using the slogan "People Power, our power".
Social media tax protests
In July, days after social media came into effect, Bobi Wine led a small group of protesters in Kampala to march against this tax the government says is aimed at boosting revenue.
The UGX200 [$0.05] was condemned by activists saying it's meant to suppress dissenting voices -- like Museveni said, "curbing gossip on WhatsApp and Facebook".
There is a petition before the Constitutional Court challenging the social media tax.
Why is he facing treason charges?
Gulu Magistrate Court on Thursday formally charged Bobi Wine with treason shortly after the military court dropped the charge of illegal possession of firearms following his brutal arrest in Arua on August 13th.
It is alleged that Wine threw stones and smashed the windscreen of one of the president's vehicles with an intent to harm him.
The visibly pained legislator was remanded to Gulu Main Prison and allowed access to a private doctor. He was allegedly tortured by security operatives during his arrest.
His lawyers claimed that military doctors have been giving him painkillers and massaging his swollen face.
He is expected to appear again in court on August 30th together with 32 other co-accused, including politicians.
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