Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has alleged that his wife was violently assaulted during a raid on their home by soldiers, intensifying concerns over political repression in the country following the disputed January 15 election.
Allegations of Assault
In a post on X on Saturday, Wine claimed that “hundreds of soldiers” stormed his residence in his absence, looting property and attacking his wife.
“They put my wife on gunpoint, asking her to reveal my whereabouts. They strangled her and insulted her,” Wine wrote.
He added that she was rushed to hospital, where she remains admitted, suffering from both physical and psychological trauma.
Election Dispute
Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi, went into hiding after the election in which President Yoweri Museveni, 81, was declared winner of a seventh term with 71.65 percent of the vote, compared to Wine’s 24.72 percent.
The opposition leader denounced the result as “blatant theft,” while observers and NGOs criticized the process, citing an internet blackout and widespread repression of opposition supporters.
Threats and International Concern
Museveni’s son and army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, escalated tensions with a now-deleted post on X threatening to hunt down and kill Wine. He later boasted that security forces had killed “30 NUP terrorists” and arrested over 2,000 opposition supporters, referring to Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP).
Wine’s lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, urged the United Nations and the international community to demand verifiable guarantees of Wine’s safety.
“Mr. Wine has committed no crime. His only offence is exposing, once again, the brutal and dictatorial nature of President Museveni’s rule, through peaceful political opposition and the exercise of fundamental rights,” Amsterdam said.
The European Union expressed concern over pre- and post-election violence and threats against Wine, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “following with concern” reports of arrests, detentions, and violent incidents involving opposition figures and supporters.
Conclusion
The allegations of assault on Bobi Wine’s wife and threats against the opposition leader underscore the volatile political climate in Uganda. As international bodies call for restraint and accountability, the situation highlights the ongoing struggle between entrenched power and opposition voices seeking democratic change.
