NUP’s president, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has announced that he has left Uganda to engage international partners before returning to continue his political activities
In a statement posted on his X account, Bobi Wine said his exit from the country is temporary and aimed at handling what he described as important engagements abroad.
“Today, I am announcing my brief exit from the country to handle important work. Over the next few weeks, I will engage with our friends and allies all over the world before returning to Uganda to continue the push for freedom and democracy! For now, let’s remain focused and united,” Kyagulanyi said.
He said he had been in hiding for the past two months after security forces allegedly attempted to arrest him following the disputed presidential election won by President Yoweri Museveni.
“Two months ago, Museveni yet again usurped the will of the people of Uganda and declared himself president on gunpoint. A day later, gripped by shame and fear, the military invaded my home to harm me, but I was able to evade them and go into hiding,” he said.
Kyagulanyi also claimed that security forces had been searching for him across the country during that period.
“Over the past two months, the regime has looked for me everywhere. They have raided the homes of many colleagues and fellow leaders, mounted roadblocks and spot checks of vehicles and motorcycles, arrested and dismissed the police officers assigned to my campaign, raided our home in the village, and kept my home under siege. Well, they couldn’t find me because the people of Uganda sheltered me and protected me,” he added.
His exit appears to confirm earlier claims by veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda, who earlier this week said on a podcast that Bobi Wine had already left the country.
Bobi Wine’s departure also comes days after nine out of the 16 bodyguards assigned to him by the Electoral Commission of Uganda were arrested and arraigned in court.
Since the 16 January general elections, Kyagulanyi has largely remained out of the public eye, occasionally releasing video messages recorded from undisclosed locations within Uganda.
Meanwhile, two of his deputy presidents in the National Unity Platform, Lina Zedriga and Jolly Tukamushaba were recently arrested and charged with incitement but were later granted bail.
However, the party’s deputy president for the Buganda region, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, remains in custody on charges of terrorism following a shooting incident reported at his home in Butambala District on the night of the elections.
