Opposition Ugandan lawmaker and pop singer Bobi Wine was met by police Thursday afternoon when he landed at the airport in Kampala, and taken into custody.

Journalists were not allowed at the airport and security is tight around Kampala, with security forces deployed on the streets and controlling access to the airport. On Wednesday, police banned people from gathering at the airport or elsewhere to greet the 36-year-old Wine.

International and local media, as well as social media report that Wine’s brothers, members of his band and his manager were arrested before his arrival on a flight from Europe.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had been in the United States for the past few weeks, seeking treatment for injuries he said were from beatings he received after he was arrested August 14.

He has long been a critic of President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power more than 30 years. Wine, four other members of parliament and about 30 supporters were arrested last month after a protest broke out during a campaign event for a by-election.

Wine has said he and others were tortured in custody. He was granted bail and allowed to leave the country for treatment. The government has denied the allegations of torture and mistreatment.

Museveni, who is 74, remains popular with a large segment of Ugandans, for having brought stability to the country. However, more than 70 percent of the population is under the age of 35 and many of these voters say they want younger leadership.
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