KAMPALA, Uganda — Several police counter-terrorism officers who were assigned to provide security for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine, during the 2026 presidential campaigns have reportedly been arrested and detained in Kampala.
Kyagulanyi, the presidential candidate for the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), said the officers had been taken into custody earlier this week.
Sources familiar with the matter said the officers were detained at Railway Police Station in Kampala and are facing allegations of disobedience of lawful orders and withdrawing from duty without permission.
“They face charges of disobedience of lawful orders and withdrawing from work without permission,” a source privy to the matter said.
Authorities have not publicly clarified the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences.
Attempts to obtain official confirmation were unsuccessful, as Kituuma Rusoke, spokesperson for the Uganda Police Force, was not immediately available for comment.
Bobi Wine reacts
Kyagulanyi, who said he is currently outside the country, addressed the matter on Wednesday through social media, expressing concern over the arrests.
“These officers are usually targeted for doing their job with professionalism and patriotism,” he posted on X.
He added that the arrests were not unprecedented, claiming that similar incidents had occurred during previous election cycles.
“We learnt that they were questioned about our sources of funding, who I was meeting, what our plans were among others. They were also interrogated about why they always sought to protect us from violent attacks by other sections of the police and military,” Bobi said in a post on X.
Security arrangements during elections
During Uganda’s presidential campaigns, candidates are typically assigned security personnel by the state.
Following their nomination by the Electoral Commission of Uganda, presidential contenders, including the incumbent president Yoweri Museveni, are provided with official police security to accompany them throughout the campaign period.
Each candidate is usually allocated 16 officers from the police Counter Terrorism Directorate, tasked with ensuring their protection during rallies, travel and public appearances.
The allowances for these officers are paid by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Also Read: Bobi Wine accuses security forces of using violence to block his campaign movement
However, local media reports in recent weeks indicated that some of the officers assigned to campaign security, including bodyguards and drivers, had raised concerns over delayed payments of their allowances.
Political tensions ahead of elections
The arrests come amid heightened political tensions in Uganda as opposition groups continue to raise concerns about security restrictions, surveillance and the treatment of their supporters.
Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned politician, remains one of the most prominent challengers to President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986.
Analysts say incidents involving security personnel assigned to opposition figures often draw scrutiny because they highlight the complex relationship between Uganda’s security agencies and political actors during election periods.
Authorities have yet to provide further details about the detained officers or whether formal charges will be filed.
