The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, has said there is no justification for National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, to remain in hiding, insisting that the government has not declared him a wanted person.
“Bobi Wine remains a recognised political leader and is free to move and carry out his activities within the confines of the law,” Baryomunsi said.
He dismissed claims that the opposition figure’s safety is at risk, stating that security agencies are mandated to protect all Ugandans regardless of political affiliation.
The minister urged political leaders to engage openly and lawfully, stressing that peace, dialogue, and respect for institutions are essential as the country navigates the post-election period.
Since election day, Bobi Wine has reportedly gone into hiding for fear of arrest following the polls. He lost the January 15 presidential election to incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who secured 71 percent of the total votes cast. Museveni polled 7,946,772 votes, while Kyagulanyi came second with 2,741,238 votes.
Since polling day, Kyagulanyi’s residence in Magere has allegedly been under siege, with military personnel controlling access to the property. Despite uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts, the former MP has continued to speak to international media following the election.
Last Friday, the military reportedly raided his home, barely ten days after the election. The raid was confirmed by Kyagulanyi himself .
According to Kyagulanyi, hundreds of soldiers descended on his home late at night. He said many were dressed in Special Forces Command (SFC) uniforms, others in regular Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) attire, while some were in plain clothes.
“They came with ladders, ready to climb upstairs. They broke our doors and forced themselves into our house. Using hammers, they hit walls, window glass, and doors,” Kyagulanyi said.
“They put my wife at gunpoint, demanding that she reveal my whereabouts. They stole money, numerous valuable documents, and all electronic gadgets. They took phones, laptops, chargers, our internet system, our CCTV system, speakers—any electronic gadget they could lay their criminal hands on,” he added in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Kyagulanyi said the intruders searched every part of the house, including the ceiling, leaving extensive damage. He alleged that his wife was forced to sit down and ordered to unlock her phone.
“She refused. They strangled her and insulted her. Speaking in Runyankore, they asked why she would marry a Muganda and why we would dare challenge Museveni,” he said.
He further claimed that the soldiers assaulted the family’s security guard and housemaid, demanding information about a basement where they believed he was hiding. He also said the attackers asked about the whereabouts of his children.
“My wife was rushed to hospital, where she remains admitted, dealing with both physical and psychological trauma,” Kyagulanyi said.
The Acting Director of Communication at the Ministry of Defence, Col. Chris Magezi, declined to comment on the matter.
“I have nothing to say about it,” he told this publication.
