Kampala, Uganda: Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, said Saturday he had fled Uganda to escape what he described as an ongoing military search for him following the disputed presidential election.
In a video message shared via his X official account, the 43-year-old leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) said he had safely left the country for what he called “critical engagements” abroad but did not disclose his location.
“Fellow Ugandans and friends of Uganda all over the world, by the time you see this video, I will have left the country for some critical engagements outside Uganda,” Kyagulanyi said in the recorded message.
“And at the right time, I will come back and continue with the cause. I thank all of you fellow Ugandans who have concealed and protected me for all this time when the regime was looking for me,” he added.
Kyagulanyi said he had been in hiding since shortly after the January 15 presidential election, in which President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was declared the winner with 71.6% of the vote, according to official results that the opposition leader rejects.
In the video, Kyagulanyi alleged that security agencies had launched extensive operations to locate him following the election.
“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,” he said.
He claimed security forces were unable to locate him because he had been protected by supporters. “Well, they couldn’t find me because the people of Uganda sheltered me and protected me,” Kyagulanyi stated.
Local reports earlier this year reported that UPDF soldiers raided Kyagulanyi’s residence shortly after the January 15 polls, but he had already gone into hiding at the time.
During the election campaign period, the opposition leader frequently appeared at rallies wearing a helmet and flak jacket, citing fears for his safety amid heavy security deployments.
Kyagulanyi said his trip abroad would focus on engaging international partners and pushing for targeted sanctions against the Ugandan government.
He also announced that Lina Zedriga would serve as acting president of the party during his absence.
“After doing my work on the international platform, I will return back to Uganda and let the regime do whatever they want to me, in full view of the world. After all, I have not committed any crime for running for president,” Kyagulanyi said.
Meanwhile, President Museveni, 81, is expected to be sworn in for another term in May following the election victory.
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