Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, said he has fled Uganda to avoid a military search following the disputed presidential election held on January 15.
Wine went into hiding shortly after the vote, which official results say was won by President Yoweri Museveni with 71.6% of the vote. The opposition leader has rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities and fraud.
His whereabouts had remained unknown for weeks, raising concerns about his safety after General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s army chief and the president’s son, repeatedly posted threats against him on social media platform X. While Kainerugaba suggested Wine was wanted for unspecified crimes, Ugandan police said they were not actively searching for him.
In a video message posted online on Saturday, Wine confirmed that he had left the country for undisclosed engagements abroad, though he did not reveal his current location.
“By the time you see this video I will have left the country for some critical engagements outside Uganda,” he said, thanking supporters who helped conceal him while authorities were allegedly searching for him.
Wine said he intends to return to Uganda and continue his political struggle at the appropriate time.
The opposition figure had gone into hiding after security forces raided his home the day after the election, though he was not there at the time. During the campaign, Wine often appeared at rallies wearing a helmet and flak jacket, citing fears for his safety amid heavy security presence.
Wine, the most prominent among the seven candidates who challenged Museveni, enjoys strong support among young urban voters. President Museveni, 81, is expected to be sworn in for a seventh term in May, bringing him closer to five decades in power.
While supporters credit Museveni with maintaining relative stability in Uganda, critics argue that the country’s democratic space has steadily narrowed, pointing to increased pressure on opposition figures and political dissent.
Source: TRT Africa
