KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has announced that he has temporarily left Uganda to undertake international engagements, saying the move is aimed at strengthening his campaign for democratic reforms in the country.
In a video statement shared online, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) said the decision followed what he described as intensified efforts by authorities to track him down over the past two months.
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, alleged that the government of President Yoweri Museveni had escalated pressure on him and his allies.
“Two months ago, Museveni yet again usurped the will of the people of Uganda and declared himself president on gunpoint. A day later, gripped by shame and fear, the military invaded my home to harm me, but I was able to evade them and go into hiding,” he said in a video.
According to the opposition figure, security agencies conducted a series of operations targeting members of his political movement.
He claimed authorities raided the homes of political allies, mounted roadblocks, carried out vehicle and motorcycle checks, and withdrew the police officers assigned to his security detail.
Bobi Wine also alleged that his family home was searched as part of the operation to locate him.
“Well, they couldn’t find me because the people of Uganda sheltered me and protected me,” he added.
Despite leaving the country, the NUP leader said his absence would be brief and part of a broader strategy to rally international support for Uganda’s democratic movement.
“Over the next few weeks, I will engage with our friends and allies all over the world before returning to Uganda to continue the push for freedom and democracy!” he said.
Political observers note that Ugandan opposition leaders have frequently turned to international advocacy campaigns to highlight concerns about human rights and governance in the East African nation.
Earlier in the week, Bobi Wine also raised concerns about the treatment of police officers who had been assigned to protect his presidential campaign.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, he claimed that several officers were facing arrest and interrogation by authorities despite what he described as their professionalism while serving during and after the 2021 presidential election.
He said the officers had operated in a difficult environment during the election period, often facing violence while carrying out their duties.
“After the election, several of them, including their head, Afande Kato, were arrested and detained for a long period. We learnt that they were questioned about our sources of funding, who I was meeting, what our plans were,” the statement reads.
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The developments come amid continued political tensions in Uganda following the 2021 presidential election, in which Museveni secured another term after decades in power.
Opposition groups have repeatedly raised concerns about political freedoms, while the government has defended its actions as necessary to maintain national security and stability.
Bobi Wine’s temporary departure underscores the ongoing struggle between the opposition and the government, as political actors prepare for the next electoral cycle in the country.
