Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has issued a defiant response to controversial statements by Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, in a fresh political confrontation that is already reverberating through the country’s tense pre-election atmosphere.
In a series of posts on social media, Muhoozi Kainerugaba appeared to issue an ultimatum to Bobi Wine, accusing him of criminal conduct and warning that he would be treated as an outlaw if he failed to surrender to the police within 48 hours. In one of the posts, Muhoozi claimed he was acting independently, stating that he was “exonerating” his father from responsibility for what he intended to do next.
The remarks sparked immediate backlash from opposition figures and civil society actors, who viewed them as inflammatory and politically charged, especially coming from a senior military officer and a central figure in Uganda’s power structure.
Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and a key challenger to President Museveni, responded forcefully. He accused Muhoozi of orchestrating a military raid on his home and attempting to harm him, saying he narrowly escaped. According to Bobi Wine, the new threats contradict earlier claims by the authorities that he was not being pursued.
“To cover up the shame, you claimed no one was looking for me,” Bobi Wine said, adding that the latest statements revealed “fear and panic” within the ruling establishment. He maintained that he would resurface on his own terms and warned that those in power would ultimately be held accountable for what he described as abuses against Ugandans.
The exchange comes at a critical time as Uganda edges closer to another election cycle, historically marked by heightened security operations, arrests of opposition figures, and restrictions on political activity. Analysts say the public spat underscores the growing influence of Muhoozi Kainerugaba in national politics and the deepening polarization between the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the opposition.
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Opposition supporters have rallied around Bobi Wine’s response, framing it as further evidence of intimidation, while government-aligned voices have defended calls for law and order. Meanwhile, rights groups are urging restraint, warning that rhetoric from powerful figures could escalate tensions and undermine prospects for a peaceful electoral process.
As Uganda’s political temperature continues to rise, the confrontation between Bobi Wine and the president’s son is likely to intensify debate about militarization, free political participation, and the future direction of the country’s leadership.