KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) - The Latest on Uganda’s political violence (all times local):
12:10 a.m.
A lawyer says a Ugandan pop star-turned-opposition lawmaker is flying out of the country for medical treatment a day after security forces blocked him from boarding a flight to the United States.
Nicholas Opiyo says Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, departed Entebbe International Airport on a KLM flight near midnight after Ugandan authorities said they had cleared him to travel.
Ugandans have been angered by the alleged torture of the singer who was detained with several other lawmakers over an incident in which the president’s motorcade was pelted with stones.
Authorities said a government medical board had to examine the singer before any travel abroad because of the claims of torture, which security forces have denied.
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9:05 p.m.
Ugandan police say a pop star-turned-opposition lawmaker now can travel to the United States for medical treatment roughly a day after police blocked him from boarding a flight.
The holding of Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, caused protests on Friday among Ugandans angered by his alleged torture in detention over an incident in which the president’s motorcade was pelted with stones.
Authorities said a government medical board had to examine him before any travel abroad because of the claims of torture, which security forces have denied.
A lawyer for Ssentamu, Medard Sseggona, says it is not clear when the singer will leave for the U.S.
Another lawmaker who was blocked from traveling to India for treatment, Francis Zaake, is still being held.
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8:30 a.m.
A lawyer says Ugandan pop star-turned-opposition lawmaker whose treason charge has outraged the country after he alleged torture in detention has been blocked from leaving for the United States for treatment, while a colleague was stopped from traveling to India.
The police action has escalated a political dispute between the government of longtime President Yoweri Museveni and a youthful generation that fears he intends to rule for life after 32 years in power.
Lawyer Asuman Basalirwa says Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was stopped while trying to board a flight at the Entebbe airport and police did not explain why. He was checked into a hospital in the capital, Kampala, in a “worrying condition.”
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