Ugandan pop star says he is fighting for 'the oppressed'

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) " Ugandan pop star-turned-lawmaker Bobi Wine says he will return to Uganda to continue his struggle on behalf of "the oppressed" after allegedly being tortured by security forces.

Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, became emotional in his first news conference since arriving in the U.S. last week for specialized care.

Ssentamu has previously said his testicles were squeezed and that a kidney was injured during beatings by soldiers attached to the elite presidential guard.

Ugandan authorities vehemently deny the torture allegations.

Ssentamu was arrested on Aug. 14 over his alleged role in an incident in which the president's motorcade was pelted with stones. He has since been charged with treason alongside over 30 others.

Robert Amsterdam, Ssentamu's U.S.-based lawyer, is urging Washington to suspend military funding to Uganda.