National Unity Platform President Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine has announced that he has fled the country after two months of manhunt by security operatives. Bobi Wine has been on a run since the January general elections, where he challenged the incumbent president, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
In his statement, Bobi Wine said that he is leaving to do ‘important work’ and will do consultations as he looks for ways to put an end to the current government. “Today, I am announcing my brief exit from the country to handle important work.”
He described Yoweri Museveni as an ‘usurper ‘, whom he accuses of using the military to keep himself in power after elections that Bobi Wine claims he won and had his victory stolen. “Two months ago, Museveni yet again usurped the will of the people of Uganda and declared himself president on gunpoint.” He said.
Bobi Wine was the leading opposition candidate in the concluded 2026 General Elections that were marred with arrests of opposition supporters and leaders, total internet shutdown during voting and vote counting processes, attacks on homes of opposition politicians and reported killings in various opposition strongholds in the country.
After the elections, Bobi Wine, former musician and one of the most popular people in Uganda evaded security, which was monitoring him and disappeared from his home, which was heavily guarded.
Despite government spokesperson, Dr Chris Baryomunsi comments that the government is not concerned about Bobi Wine’s ‘hiding’ and they are not looking for him, the army commander General Muhoozi Kainerugaba who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni said that they were looking for Bobi Wine and gave him an ultimatum of 48 hours to surrender or they will look for him and bring him dead or alive.
In a statement issued today, March 14th 2026, Bobi Wine also noted an attack on his home, which has been under ‘siege’ for months and attacks on his friends and fellow party leaders as security operatives keep hunting him down.
“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”
Security forces kept surrounding Bobi Wine’s home for days after the elections before breaking in and interrogating family members, including his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, about the whereabouts of her husband. His wife would later claim to have been assaulted by security forces, adding that they even recorded videos and photos of her. Commander of Defence Forces – CDF General Muhoozi Kainerugaba refuted claims on his X handle, saying that UPDF doesn’t assault women adding that they are only “looking for her cowardly husband not her,”. Nevertheless, he later shared some of the photos of Barbie Kyagulanyi that security operatives took, on his X, though he later deleted the posts.
Three of the 4 deputy presidents of the National Unity Platform were arrested after the elections, in addition to several party leaders on different organisational levels and hundreds of party supporters. Some of them have been released, while the rest are still in prison, with some of them on capital offences.
In an accompanying video, Bobi Wine thanked Ugandans for protecting him and hiding him when security was looking for him, and also thanked Ugandans for trusting and supporting him during the recently concluded elections, which he boldly affirms that he won.
He promises to push for sanctions against Museveni and his government and also to look for all means possible to put an end to Museveni’s 40-year reign.
“We decided to fight back, not only in the country but also internationally and among the things that we hope to pursue are targeted sanctions against Museveni and his enablers”, he later added.
Bobi Wine promised to return to Uganda after he is done with consultations to continue the work of fighting for democracy and freedom for his supporters and all Ugandans. He delegated his powers to deputy president DR. Lina Zedriga who has just been released from prison.
“I will return to my country and let the regime do whatever they want to me in the full view of the world…….. For now, let’s remain focused and united,” Bobi Wine concluded with a message of courage and hope.
Fellow Ugandans and friends of Uganda!
Two months ago, Museveni yet again usurped the will of the people of Uganda and declared himself president on gunpoint. A day later, gripped by shame and fear, the military invaded my home to harm me, but I was able to evade them and go… pic.twitter.com/lGysaFL1ms
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) March 14, 2026
