Uganda’s opposition leader, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has criticized President Yoweri Museveni following the death of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter, Marinos Alexandros.
In a statement on Sunday, August 17, Bobi Wine said Marinos died at around 1:30 am, joining the growing list of those who have died under Museveni’s administration.
Marinos was allegedly abducted on March 30, 2022, and subjected to torture and rape at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) for two days.
It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of our dear comrade and friend, Marinos Alexandros. Marinos was abducted on 30th March 2022 in Mbuya, subjected to incredible torture and raped by regime thugs at CMI, Mbuya. Her crime? Playing Bobi Wine’s music on loudspeakers!
Marinos revealed to party members and journalists on Wednesday that for two days, she was tortured and sexually assaulted by Ssengoba and Matovu.
Marinos told journalists that she was tortured for supporting and playing Bobi Wine’s songs.
She displayed torture marks on different parts of her body.
Marinos said she was kidnapped on March 30 and kept in the dungeons of CMI where she Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier Sgt Ali Hassan Matovu and a civilian Erias Ssengoba tortured and sexually assaulted her.
Bobi Wine said she started receiving death threats after revealing her ordeals to the media.
When she came out and exposed the thugs, she started receiving calls threatening to kill her. Her house was raided in the night by rogues, but she was not there that night, having slept at a friend’s home.
Also Read: Gen Muhoozi Boasts About Detaining and Torturing Bobi Wine’s Bodyguard, Shares His Photo
Bobi Wine Narrates Marino’s Experiences
According to the NUP President, Marinos was forced to seek refuge in Nairobi, Kenya.
However, he claimed that the government still attempted to abduct her, forcing her to move to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camp, where she could have some security.
Bobi Wine said she became very sick in 2024 and started getting treatment while NUP supported her.
Marinos returned to Uganda a few weeks ago to receive better treatment in the presence of her family.
It is most unfortunate that we have lost her this morning at 1:30 am. Marinos joins hundreds of other victims of the Museveni regime of blood and terror. Fight on, comrade! The struggle for freedom and democracy in Uganda is poorer without you, but the evil regime will never have the last laugh.
Also Read: Muhoozi Promises to Get Museveni 90% of Votes in Next Uganda Elections
Army Denies Accusations
Sgt Matovu and Ssengoba denied the accusations of kidnapping and raping Marinos.
UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulaigye said Marinos had never been in CMI detention nor was she kidnapped by any of the CMI officers.
He also stated that Sgt Matovu and Ssengoba were nowhere near Marinos on March 30 when she was allegedly abducted.
Further, Kulayigye said that there is evidence that Marinos spent the better part of the day talking to her friends on the phone on the day she claims to have been kidnapped.
“The days she alleges that she was in detention, she was engaged on the phone and talking with friends. Of course, you are aware that we can access telephone conversations,” he said.
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