Uganda’s opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has revealed that he will temporarily leave Uganda after spending the past two months in hiding following the disputed January 2026 presidential election.
In a statement on March 14, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader described how President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner “on gunpoint” just two months ago, prompting a military raid on his home the following day.
Bobi Wine said he narrowly evaded capture and went into hiding, crediting ordinary Ugandans for sheltering and protecting him during an intense manhunt by security forces.
“The regime has looked for me everywhere,” he stated.
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“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.”
Despite these attempts to capture him, Wine emphasized that authorities failed to locate him thanks to public support.
He announced his brief departure from the country to attend to “important work” and engage with international friends and allies over the coming weeks.
“Over the next few weeks, I will engage with our friends and allies all over the world before returning to Uganda to continue the push for freedom and democracy!” he wrote. “For now, let’s remain focused and united.”
Disputed 2026 Election Fuels Bobi Wine’s Flight from Uganda
Uganda held its presidential election on January 15, 2026. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly 40 years, was declared the winner with about 71.65 per cent of the vote. Opposition leader Bobi Wine was said to have received about 24.7 per cent.
Also Read: Uganda Addresses Alleged Plot to Rig Elections After Bobi Wine Exposé
Bobi Wine and his supporters rejected the results, saying the vote was not fair. They claimed there were problems such as ballot stuffing, intimidation of voters, blocking of election observers, and internet shutdown during voting.
Soon after the election, soldiers raided Bobi Wine’s home. Fearing arrest or harm, he went into hiding. He says he was threatened by Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a general in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
For more than two months, Wine remained in hiding inside Uganda with help from ordinary citizens.
During that time, security forces searched for him, set up roadblocks, and raided the homes of his friends and supporters.
Bobi Wine has now said he will leave the country for a short time to meet supporters and allies abroad. He says the goal is to seek international support against what he describes as a government that uses force to stay in power.
He has promised to return to Uganda and continue his push for democracy and freedom.
Photo/NUP
