Bobi Wine leaves Uganda after two months in hiding
Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has announced that he has temporarily left Uganda after spending nearly two months in hiding.
Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has announced that he has temporarily left Uganda after spending nearly two months in hiding.
In a statement shared on Saturday, Wine said he had been out of public view since shortly after the last presidential election held in January, during which he claimed the vote had been rigged.
He said the situation forced him to go into hiding following what he described as security operations targeting him and members of his political camp.
The opposition leader said that shortly after the election, security forces moved to his residence in what he described as an attempt to intimidate him. He said he managed to evade them and subsequently remained in hiding.
According to Wine, authorities had been searching for him since then, including through operations targeting his colleagues and associates.
“Over the past two months, they have looked for me everywhere. They have raided the homes of many colleagues and fellow leaders, mounted roadblocks and spot checks of vehicles and motorcycles,” he said.
“Well, they couldn’t find me because the people of Uganda sheltered me and protected me.”
Wine also claimed that his rural home had been raided and that his residence remained under security watch.
In a separate video message released online, the opposition leader said that by the time the recording was made public, he would have already left the country.
“By the time you see this video, I will have left the country for some critical engagements outside Uganda and at the right time, I will come back and continue the cause,” he said.
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Wine said that during the period he remained out of sight, he received support from individuals across the country who helped him avoid detection.
“I thank all fellow Ugandans who have concealed and protected me for all this time when the regime was looking for me—those who clothed, fed me and offered me shelter,” he said, adding that he would not reveal their identities for their safety.
He also expressed gratitude to members of his family and religious leaders, who he said provided spiritual support during the period.
Kyagulanyi said his temporary departure from the country would allow him to engage with international allies and supporters before returning to Uganda.
The opposition figure urged his supporters to remain united and focused despite the developments.
“For now, let’s remain focused and united,” he added.
Kyagulanyi, a former musician turned politician, has been one of the most prominent critics of long-serving Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
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