Opposition leader, Bobi Wine, flees Uganda, alleges plot to eliminate him

Ugandan opposition leader, Bobi Wine, has revealed that he fled the country following January’s disputed general election, saying he feared for his life.
Speaking to the BBC’s Newshour programme from an undisclosed location after spending two months in hiding, Wine said he believed the authorities intended to eliminate him.
“It was clear that the regime wanted to eliminate me,” he said.
The pop star–turned–politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, earlier confirmed his departure in a video posted on the social media platform X (Twitter).
In the video, he reiterated his claim that the election had been manipulated in favour of Uganda’s long-serving president, Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986.
Museveni, 81, was declared the winner with 72 per cent of the vote, while accusing opposition groups of attempting to overturn the results through violence.
Read more: Uganda army chief calls opposition leader, Bobi Wine, cowardly; dares him to surrender to govt from hiding
Wine, 44, told the BBC that during his time in hiding he relied heavily on supporters for protection and basic needs.
“People gave me food, people gave me clothing and everything else,” he said.
He further alleged that the president had made several attempts on his life and claimed that threats had also been issued by Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who commands the country’s military forces.
Kainerugaba had previously posted messages on X stating that Wine was “wanted dead or alive” and threatened to castrate him, though the posts were later deleted. He did not cite any specific offences.
Some government officials have denied claims that security agencies have been searching for the opposition leader. The BBC has sought comment from the police.
Despite leaving the country, Wine said he still felt unsafe.
“Even if I’m out of Uganda, I am still not safe because I know that I’m being pursued by a regime that is able to pursue its political enemies wherever they are,” he said.
He declined to disclose how or when he escaped Uganda, citing concerns for the safety of those who assisted him.
Wine said his family had left the country earlier, but expressed concern for members of his political party, the National Unity Platform, who remain in Uganda. Among them is his deputy, Lina Zedriga, whom he appointed as acting leader during his absence.
“She’ll be guiding and leading on the ground while I’ll be guiding and leading from wherever I will be,” he said.
The opposition leader indicated that he hopes to return to Uganda, describing his departure as temporary.
His video message, posted on Saturday, marked his first public appearance in weeks. In it, he called for targeted international sanctions against Museveni.
Wine also alleged that security forces had repeatedly raided the homes of his supporters in search of him and had set up roadblocks across the country.
He added that his residence in the capital, Kampala, had remained under military surveillance since election day.
Denying any wrongdoing, Wine said: “Running for president is not a crime.”
Following protests over the election results, Kainerugaba—widely viewed as a potential successor to his father—claimed that 30 individuals he described as “terrorists” linked to Wine’s party had been killed.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Please enter an answer in digits:

source