The president of National Unity Platform (NUP) party, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, has urged Ugandans and the ruling NRM party to stop politicising his ongoing campaign to expatriate hundreds of Ugandans stranded in prisons in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Speaking on Saturday, following his party’s repatriation of the first batch of 12 Ugandans from UAWE, Bobi Wine said those affected are Ugandans of different backgrounds.
“When I went to Dubai, I got a chance to visit some detention centres and I witnessed the sorry state in which our people are living,” he said.
“This is why I call for a joint effort to return these people back home safely. Government too should extend a hand,” he added.
According to the NUP secretary general, Mr Lewis Rubongoya, this was the first group to be repatriated in the campaign, with two more groups expected today and another tomorrow.
“It is a pleasure to receive the first group of Ugandans who have been detained in Dubai, this campaign is facilitated by people, including the NUP president who championed it with Shs10m. We shall be receiving other groups in the coming days,” he said.
“I, therefore, appeal to everyone to do something during this campaign. If you cannot raise money, at least create awareness,” Mr Rubongoya added.
Some of those who returned into the country were unable to walk while others could not hold back their tears as they shared accounts of their dreadful experiences while in the detention centres.
Bobi Wine received the returnees on Saturday at his home in Magere, Kasangati Town Council in Wakiso District
The Opposition leader said they had a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and legislators affiliated to NUP, who agreed that each of them buys an air ticket for a Ugandan detained in UAE.
Among the returnees were Hadijah Nakayima from Butambala, Winfred Mbabazi from Isingiro, Justine Muhimba from Mbale and Caroline Asiimwe from Fort Portal.
Others were Betty Nantongo (Buikwe), Catherine Kajumba (Fort Portal), Rita Nabisere and one Nabuuma from Matugga, among others.
