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Nigerian Activist Omoyele Sowere Remains In Custody Following Planned #RevolutionNow Protests

The founder of Sahara Reporters and 2019 presidential candidate, is being held under terrorism laws after attempting to organize a nationwide protest against insecurity.

Nigerian journalist, activist and politician Omoyele Sowere was arrested on Sunday for his efforts to lead a nationwide "Revolution Now" protest and is currently being held under terrorism laws, BBC Africa reports.

The peaceful protests were set to take place across 21 Nigerian cities on Monday. Several Nigerians were set to take to the streets to demand an end to widespread insecurity in the country, and push for free education and healthcare for all Nigerian citizens. Some organizers attempted to go ahead with the protests on Monday to little success. Those who did attempt to organize faced small run-ins with police.

Sowere remains in custody, after being accused of "calling for an overthrow of the Nigerian government," by organizing the protest. Though he should have been charged within 48-hours of being taken into custody, according to Nigerian law, Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that Sowere could be detained under terrorism laws, following a request from the Department of State Services (DSS) to hold him for further investigation. "The nature of offence of terrorism which involved the use of force, is a clear affront to the peace of the society," said the justice of his decision.

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Singer turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine speaks during a press conference, held at his home in Magere in the outskirts of Kampala, on July 24, 2019. (Photo by SUMY SADURNI/AFP/Getty Images)

Bobi Wine Has Been Charged With 'Intending to Annoy' President Museveni

The new charge is in addition to an initial treason charge.

Ugandan opposition leader and musician Bobi Wine, is being brought up on a new charge of "intending to annoy, alarm or ridicule the president," the BBC reports.

The charge stems form an incident that occurred last year at a re-election rally, in which President Yoweri Museveni accused the artist of attacking his presidential convoy. Following those events, Wine and several of his associates were reportedly arrested and severely beaten while in police custody.

READ: 'I'm Proud to Be Persecuted For the Truth:' Bobi Wine on the Fight for Freedom in Uganda

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Ugandan Musician, Ziggy Wine, Dies From Injuries After Being Abducted and Tortured

The artist, who was kidnapped in July, was a close friend of Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine and a supporter of the resistance movement, People Power.

Ugandan musician Allinda Michael, better known as Ziggy Wine—a close affiliate of opposition leader and musician Bobi Wine—has died after being abducted and tortured, BBC Africa reports.

The artist, who was signed to Bobi Wine's Firebase Crew music label and was a firm supporter of the People Power movement, was kidnapped on July 21 while he was on his way to a recording session in Kampala. He was found a week later with several injuries, including a missing eye and two fingers. He died at Mulago Hospital in Kampala on Sunday night.

Police say they have launched an investigation into his death. Given his association with People Power, both Bobi Wine and the late artist's family allege that the abduction may have been politically motivated, reports BBC Africa. Bobi Wine recently announced that he will run for office in 2021, challenging President Yoweri Museveni's 33-year rule.

READ: Bobi Wine is Officially Running for the Ugandan Presidency in 2021

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Ugandan prominent human rights activist and feminist Stella Nyanzi (C) reacts to police officers during a protest against the amount and handling of police investigations into murders and kidnappings of women in Kampala on June 5, 2018. (Photo by SUMY SADURNI/AFP/Getty Images)

Ugandan Activist, Stella Nyanzi, Found Guilty of Cyber Harassment Against President Museveni

The activist has been sentenced to 18 months in prison over a poem she wrote about the president last year, referencing vaginas.

Stella Nyanzi, the outspoken Ugandan activist and former research fellow at Makerere University's Institute for Social Research, was found guilty of cyber harassment against President Yoweri Museveni on Friday, after sharing a controversial birthday poem for the president last September.

Nyanzi was arrested in November of last year after sharing the poem on her Facebook page, part of which read: "I wish the acidic pus flooding Esiteri's (the president's mother) vaginal canal had burn up your unborn fetus. Burn you up as badly as you have corroded all morality and professionalism out of our public institutions in Uganda."

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