The legal team representing Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has issued an urgent public alert regarding his safety. His lead attorney stated today, Friday, 23 January 2026, that they have “credible reason to fear for his life” following a series of aggressive public statements and social media threats from the Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
The tension has escalated as the country moves deeper into a volatile political cycle, with the military leadership increasingly taking a central role in political discourse.
The attorney’s fears center on recent comments made by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Museveni and the current army chief.
The Statements: The General reportedly labeled Bobi Wine a “threat to national security” and suggested that the military would “not sit idly by” while “foreign-backed elements” destabilized the country.
The Lawyer’s Stance: “These are not just words,” the attorney said. “In Uganda, when the head of the army speaks this way, it is often a precursor to illegal detention or worse. We are calling on the international community to monitor his security immediately.”
Past Incidents: The alarm is heightened by Bobi Wine’s history of house arrests, torture allegations, and the recent detention of fellow opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who is also reported to be in poor health.
The “Board of Peace” (the new US-led diplomatic body) has reportedly been briefed on the situation, though no official statement has been issued yet.
Human Rights Groups: Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for an end to the “militarization of politics” in Uganda.
Regional Jitters: Neighbors in the East African Community (EAC) are watching closely, fearing that a crackdown on the opposition could lead to widespread civil unrest and a refugee crisis.
