Bobi Wine’s Ban from Entering the UK Overturned After 10-Year Wait
Wine, who leads Uganda’s National Unity Platform party, was originally banned due to controversial anti-gay lyrics he released in 2014. The lyrics were viewed as inciting hatred and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Human rights activists had pressured the UK Home Office to deny Wine entry and cancel his scheduled performance in London at the time. He was subsequently barred from entering England since then.
In a statement on Sunday, Wine expressed happiness that the “unfair” ban had finally been overturned. He thanked his legal team and supporters who had advocated for the ban to be lifted.
Wine was forced to cancel two shows in Birmingham and London in 2014, where he was meant to perform alongside Ugandan music group The Ebonies. Gay rights campaigners had objected to the concerts citing Wine’s homophobic lyrics.
While homosexuality remains illegal in Uganda, Wine recently clarified that he does not condone violence against homosexuals despite not agreeing with their lifestyle.
Wine rose to prominence through his socially-conscious music and has been an outspoken critic of Uganda’s government under President Yoweri Museveni. He gained a significant following among less privileged Ugandans.
The lifting of the ban clears the way for Wine to visit the UK after more than a decade. It remains to be seen if he will face protests from gay rights activists during his upcoming trip.
I want to appreciate our legal team in the UK for the relentless fight and our NUP/People Power diaspora comrades for constantly raising our voice through protests as well as knocking on different doors. Their main argument has been that it is unfair to open their doors for Gen.…
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) November 5, 2023