Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, announced on Saturday, March 14, that he has fled the country after spendin
Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, announced on Saturday, March 14, that he has fled the country after spending two months in hiding following a disputed presidential election.
The 44-year-old pop star-turned-politician revealed in a video message that he chose to leave because it had become clear the “regime wanted to eliminate me”.
Wine alleged that the January 15 election, which returned 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni to power for a seventh term with 71.6% of the vote, was “rigged at gunpoint”.
While in hiding, Wine was reportedly sheltered by supporters who provided him with food and clothing after a military raid on his home the day after the vote.
He cited specific threats from the President’s son and army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who allegedly posted—and later deleted—messages on social media stating that Wine was “wanted dead or alive”.
During the post-election period, the government confirmed that at least 30 opposition supporters were killed and over 2,000 arrested, further heightening fears for Wine’s safety.
From his undisclosed location abroad, Bobi Wine has vowed to lobby the international community for targeted sanctions against the Museveni administration.
He emphasised that his departure is temporary and that he intends to return to Uganda to continue the “struggle for freedom and democracy” at the right time.
In his absence, the leadership of his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), is being coordinated on the ground by his deputy, Lina Zedriga.
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