Uganda’s main opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, who goes by the name Bobi Wine, asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) Thursday to investigate president Yoweri Museveni, Security Minister Elly Tumwine, and eight other senior officials for sanctioning human rights abuses.

The brief filed by Wine refers to incidents dating back to 2018 where military and police had deployed, the widespread use of shooting to kill, beatings, and other methods of violence. However the aforementioned brief only acts as a referral to the prosecutor and does not guarantee that there will be a criminal investigation. Whether the ICC has jurisdiction on the referral made to alleged crimes is yet to be decided by the office of the prosecutor. Following this determination after analyzing the available information,  it will be decided whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation.

Okello Oryem, Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs, has been reported saying:

“[The opposition] have tried everything under the sun, they have failed. Now they are resorting to the ICC. We are a law-abiding country, we are a peace-loving country”

Wine has been subjected to detention a countless number of times for fabricated charges of treason. In a press conference after announcing that he has filed a brief against the President and senior officials, he was also reported expressing a deep sense of concern for his life.