Lira, Uganda: The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, has condemned what he described as a “barbaric invasion” by security forces at his Lira hotel residence on Tuesday night, calling it part of a wider campaign to intimidate opposition leaders ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday morning before departing for Kotido and Abim districts, Bobi Wine alleged that the police raid was carried out under false pretenses, with the intent to “sow seeds of fear and weaken his security team.”
“The invasion was a barbaric act and replicates the usual script of sowing seeds of fear within us,” Bobi Wine said. “This has been the criminal regime pattern at every election cycle. They intend to isolate me and take away my security team.”
Bobi Wine said he personally contacted Commissioner of Police Afande Nkore, who reportedly told him that the operation was conducted in pursuit of missing police gadgets, including a laptop and a network jammer, which officers claimed were stolen during an earlier confrontation between police and NUP supporters in Lira.
“He informed me that they raided us because they were looking for their gadgets,” Bobi Wine told the media. “They allege that our comrade Tower stole a laptop and a network jammer from them. We are yet to establish if this is true, but as far as we know, we are law-abiding citizens.”
The NUP leader said seven of the fifteen comrades arrested during the Tuesday night operation had been released by Tuesday morning, while the rest remain in custody at Lira City Central Police Station.
He further expressed concern about the continued detention and alleged mistreatment of his campaign team member, Dan Magic, whose statement he said had not been recorded at any police station he had visited.
“I raised concerns of comrade Dan Magic, whose statement was not recorded at every police station he has been to. This is absolute impunity,” Kyagulanyi said.
Police Maintain It Was a Lawful Operation
Earlier, the Uganda Police had confirmed that 10 NUP supporters were arrested for allegedly attacking and vandalizing a police escort vehicle (UBK 380Q) assigned to trail Bobi Wine’s campaign convoy. Police Spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke said the suspects had punctured vehicle tires, stolen fuel, and damaged police property, adding that investigations were ongoing.
He added that the suspects remain detained as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reviews their case files.
The latest confrontation marks a deepening standoff between NUP and security agencies as the presidential campaign season intensifies.
Bobi Wine accused the government of using state institutions to harass opposition politicians, while police maintain they are enforcing law and order during campaign movements.
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