UgandaToday: Security Hunt Intensifies Around Bobi Wine After Disputed Election
By Uganda Today Reporter
Operatives, Drones and Surveillance
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, has alleged continued harassment by state security operatives following Uganda’s contested January 15, 2026 presidential election. Kyagulanyi said operatives recently visited Busabala, questioning staff about his whereabouts and attempting to recruit insiders to inform on him — actions he dismissed as “futile exercises.”
He also reported that an aerial drone hovered over parts of the area the night before the operatives’ visit, suggesting an escalation in surveillance efforts. Kyagulanyi says he remains in hiding and will “reappear at an appropriate time.”
Family Under Siege: Home Surrounded, Siblings Blocked
Kyagulanyi’s residence in Magere, Wakiso District continues to be heavily guarded by military personnel. Security forces have not only restricted his movement; they have also prevented his own siblings from entering the compound to deliver food or check on family members.
According to family members, officers — reportedly from the Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) unit — told them they needed special clearance to enter, leaving them waiting for hours with no explanation. The siblings expressed frustration and fear over the ongoing deployment, questioning why their brother’s residence remains under guard even as officials publicly insist they are not searching for him.
Allegations of Assault and Trauma
Kyagulanyi reiterated claims that President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who leads the army, is still “looking for me and issuing threats to harm me.” He said he is alive thanks to supporters who continue to protect him.
His wife, Barbara (Barbie) Kyagulanyi, remains in hospital recovering from what her husband described as an overnight raid and assault on their home. Multiple international reports have documented her account from a hospital bed, detailing how armed men in military uniform entered the residence while searching for her husband, demanded information, and physically harmed her and staff.
While the military chief denies that soldiers beat her, saying they are focused on apprehending Kyagulanyi and not targeting women, the incident has drawn condemnation from legal and rights groups.
Opposition Supporters Detained, Killings Alleged
Kyagulanyi claims thousands of supporters have been violently arrested and detained nationwide, with several reportedly killed in cold blood — allegations that reflect growing concerns about political repression post-election.
Disputed Election and Political Struggle
Kyagulanyi’s party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), rejected the January 15 results that declared Museveni the winner with a significant majority. The opposition has accused the government of shutting down the internet and using excessive force to influence the outcome.
Despite these pressures, Kyagulanyi vowed that his movement remains committed to political change:
“We remain committed to freeing our nation from these savage criminals… Deep in my heart, I do believe, WE SHALL OVERCOME some day.”
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