- Title: Uganda says opposition's Bobi Wine not hunted, downplays army chief’s posts
- Date: 9th February 2026
- Summary: KAMPALA, UGANDA (FEBRUARY 8, 2026) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) UGANDA MINISTER OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE, CHRIS BARYOMUNSI, SAYING: "The Honourable Kyagulanyi, who is the leader of NUP (National Unity Platform), has chosen on his own volition to go into hiding, as he says. I think it is more to do with his politics, because by bei
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Africa Aftermath Arrest Bobi East Elections Government Military Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni NUP Opposition Police Politics Uganda Voting Wine Yoweri
- Location: KAMPALA & GULU, UGANDA AND INTERNET
- City: KAMPALA & GULU, UGANDA AND INTERNET
- Country: Uganda
- Topics: Africa,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA003400009022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PART VIDEO QUALITY AS INCOMING
Uganda’s government said it is not hunting opposition leader Bobi Wine, and condemned a recent military raid on his home, even as the country’s powerful army chief publicly threatened to arrest the popstar‑turned‑politician.
Uganda's Information Minister, Chris Baryomunsi, told Reuters that Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had gone into hiding of his own accord and had not committed any crime. Wine has been in hiding for weeks after rejecting the results of the January 15 presidential election, which returned President Yoweri Museveni to power.
“The state is not hunting for him,” Baryomunsi said, adding that authorities would investigate a January raid on Wine’s home in which Wine alleged soldiers assaulted his wife.
Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba – Museveni’s son – denied assault allegations but later said on social media that soldiers had detained and released Wine’s wife. In other posts, Kainerugaba threatened to arrest Wine and referred to opposition supporters as “terrorists.”
Baryomunsi said Kainerugaba’s comments should be viewed as personal remarks that do not reflect state policy, though he declined to say whether security forces would face penalties if wrongdoing was proven.
Political analyst Yusuf Sserunkuma said Kainerugaba’s social media posts often mirror actions on the ground, creating fear and confusion among the opposition.
Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) accused authorities of authorising the raid and using security forces to suppress dissent, allegations the government denies.
Rights groups have long accused Museveni, in power for nearly four decades, of using the military to intimidate opponents.
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