Ugandan opposition Member of Parliament and former music sensation, Bobi Wine, has broken a ten-year silence in the UK, more than three weeks after reports claimed that the UK government lifted a supposed nine-year visa ban against him.
In an Instagram post outside the BBC’s London office, he exclaimed, “London, it’s been 10 long years!”
The alleged ban on Bobi Wine’s UK visits was linked to his 2014 song “Burn Dem,” criticized by rights groups for its purportedly inflammatory lyrics inciting homophobic attacks.
After the song’s release, he faced a denied UK visa, leading to the cancellation of two scheduled performances. The UK Home Office neither confirmed nor denied the entry ban when approached by The Guardian.
On November 5, Bobi Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi, announced his triumphant return to the UK.
He expressed his joy, stating, “I am very glad to inform you that the ban against me from entering the UK has finally been overturned, and I will soon be visiting the UK after more than 10 years,” on X.
Bobi Wine attributed the successful challenge of the travel ban to his legal team’s persistent efforts.
They argued that it was unjust for the UK government to allow entry to Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, whom Bobi Wine labeled a “world-renowned tyrant,” while restricting him and “many others [who] are trying to build a free and democratic country.”
