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Diplomats from the EU, the United States and 14 other countries sounded the alarm on Friday over Uganda's crackdown on press freedom and protests after the war. Arrest of rapper turned MP, Bobi Wine.
"We are deeply concerned by a series of recent incidents limiting freedom of expression and freedom of badembly in Uganda," said a joint mission statement on World Press Freedom Day.
The statement comes after the Ugandan Communications Commission has asked 13 radio and television stations to suspend their editors, producers, and programmers after their coverage of Wine's arrest on Monday.
The singer, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, was arrested for organizing an illegal demonstration in 2018 – the accusations of his opposition colleagues were described as ridiculous.
He was released on bail Thursday.
"We are also concerned about the excessive use of force by Ugandan police or security services against peaceful protesters and the political opposition," the statement said.
The popular singer is the figurehead of a new generation who grew up under President Yoweri Museveni but would like to see a change.
His anti-government songs helped him win a large audience.
He has emerged as a real challenger to the veteran president who intends to run for a sixth term in 2021.
The Ugandan authorities have frustrated Wine's efforts to organize concerts in his private club and have regularly arrested him for procedural offenses.
His detention provoked demonstrations in Kampala, which were dispersed by the police with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The directive calling for the sacking of senior media officials has provoked outrage from the country.
"In total, more than 30 journalists are about to lose their jobs," the Ugandan Association of Journalists said in a statement released on Thursday.
"The government through its different agencies should respect the rights of media practitioners."
Amnesty International said that the order was a "flagrant attack on press freedom".
More than 50 Ugandan journalists organized a march Friday in the capital to protest against this directive.
"Leave the media alone," read a sign held by a protester.
Abubaker Lubowa, who works for the private Daily Monitor, shouted "Uganda wants free media" as he walked with his colleagues.
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