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Uganda’s Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has openly condemned the military raid on opposition leader Bobi Wine’s home, describing the incident as very wrong.
His remarks have drawn national and regional attention, especially given the tense political environment following the recent presidential election.
Speaking in an interview with Reuters in Nairobi, Dr Baryomunsi made it clear that Bobi Wine had not committed any crime.
He emphasized that the opposition leader is a free citizen and should be allowed to return to his home without fear or intimidation.
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has been in hiding for several weeks. He reportedly fled his home in Kampala hours before he was officially announced as the runner-up in the January 15 presidential election won by President Yoweri Museveni.
The situation surrounding Wine intensified on January 24, when he claimed that soldiers raided his residence while he was away. According to Wine, the soldiers assaulted his wife, leading to her being taken to hospital for treatment.
Wine alleged that during the raid, soldiers partially undressed his wife and choked her. These claims caused outrage among his supporters, human rights activists, and members of the international community.
Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Museveni’s son, denied that soldiers assaulted Wine’s wife. However, he later posted on X that the soldiers had “captured and then released” her, a statement that further fueled controversy.
Dr Baryomunsi responded firmly to the incident, stating that the government does not support indiscipline within the army or other security agencies. He stressed that such actions go against the values and laws of the country.
“So invading his home, causing damage, assaulting his wife, or anybody, is wrong,” Baryomunsi said. His words marked one of the strongest public criticisms from a senior government official regarding the treatment of Bobi Wine and his family.
The minister added that authorities would investigate the incident to establish what exactly happened during the raid. However, he did not confirm whether any security personnel would face punishment if found to have violated the law.
This lack of clarity on possible accountability has raised concerns among rights groups, who argue that investigations without consequences often fail to deliver justice.
A spokesperson for Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment on Baryomunsi’s remarks. This silence has left many questions unanswered about the party’s official position on the government’s statements.
Meanwhile, General Kainerugaba has repeatedly claimed on social media that the military is looking for Bobi Wine. He has not clearly explained why the opposition leader is being sought or what specific crime he may have committed.
Bobi Wine has rejected the election results, alleging widespread fraud and irregularities. His rejection of the outcome has made him a central figure in ongoing political tensions across the country.
Human rights organizations and opposition figures have long accused President Museveni’s government of using the military to suppress dissent. They argue that security forces are often deployed to intimidate critics and opposition leaders.
The Ugandan government has consistently denied these accusations, insisting that the military operates within the law and is focused on maintaining national security.
In the same interview, Dr Baryomunsi also addressed Uganda’s role in regional security. He stated that the country has no plans to withdraw its troops from the African Union mission fighting jihadist groups in Somalia.
This statement contradicted earlier comments by General Kainerugaba, who had threatened on X to withdraw Ugandan troops from Somalia over funding disputes.
Baryomunsi downplayed the general’s social media posts, describing them as casual comments that do not reflect official government policy or decisions.
General Kainerugaba is known for making controversial statements online, some of which he later deletes. In the past, he has threatened Bobi Wine and claimed the military had killed opposition supporters, remarks that have drawn widespread condemnation.
As political tensions remain high, Dr Baryomunsi’s condemnation of the raid has offered a rare moment of acknowledgment from within the government. However, many Ugandans are watching closely to see whether words will be followed by concrete action and accountability.
