Uganda’s post-election crisis deepened this week after the country’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, publicly issued violent threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine, intensifying fears of a widening crackdown following President Yoweri Museveni’s disputed re-election.
Kainerugaba, the outspoken son of President Museveni and head of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), made a series of incendiary remarks on social media platform X, openly calling for the death of the opposition leader just days after Wine said he had gone into hiding following a security raid on his home.
The threats came shortly after Museveni, 81, was declared the winner of last week’s presidential election with 71.6 per cent of the vote, securing an eighth term in office. Official results showed Wine, a 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, finishing second with 24 per cent.
The election outcome has been widely criticised by local and international observers, rights groups, and opposition parties, who cited allegations of intimidation, violence, and irregularities.
Army Chief’s Shocking Remarks
In one of his posts late Monday, Kainerugaba claimed security forces had killed members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), referring to them as “terrorists,” before expressing a desire for Wine to be the next victim.
In another message, he issued Wine with a 48-hour ultimatum to surrender to the police, warning that failure to do so would result in him being treated as an outlaw. Kainerugaba insisted the threats were his personal initiative, attempting to distance his father from the remarks.
“I exonerate my great and venerable father from what I’m going to do,” he wrote.
In further comments that drew widespread condemnation, the army chief mocked the number of people killed during the election period, suggesting it was insufficient and promising harsher action.
Kainerugaba, who has a long history of provocative and inflammatory online statements, also declared himself “a prophet of Almighty God” and vowed to eliminate the opposition party, describing it as a “bad dream” that would be extinguished.
Bobi Wine Responds
Bobi Wine responded by accusing Kainerugaba and security agencies of orchestrating a violent raid on his home in Magere, describing a night-time operation involving military and police units.
According to Wine, the raid included power cuts, interference with CCTV cameras, and helicopters hovering over his residence. He said he narrowly escaped arrest or harm and accused authorities of committing atrocities against Ugandans.
“You ordered the raid on my house to harm me,” Wine wrote, adding that he would re-emerge on his own terms.
Wine also revealed that his wife remains under what he described as house arrest, while his own whereabouts remain undisclosed. In a televised address aired on NTV Uganda, he said leaving his home had enabled him to “speak to the world,” though he did not reveal his location.
Wider Crackdown on Opposition
The threats against Wine come amid a broader crackdown on the opposition. On Monday, at least 118 members of the National Unity Platform were charged in Kampala courts with offences including unlawful assembly, conspiracy, and possession of election materials.
NUP secretary-general David Rubongoya rejected claims that party supporters were involved in violence, saying many of those arrested were accredited polling agents.
“They had letters confirming that they were polling agents of NUP. They were targeted and arrested violently,” he told NTV Uganda.
Scattered protests erupted in parts of Kampala over the weekend following the announcement of Museveni’s victory, but police swiftly dispersed demonstrators using teargas and arrests.
International Concern
Ahead of the vote, the United Nations Human Rights Office accused Uganda’s military and police of using live ammunition against peaceful rallies, carrying out arbitrary arrests, and abducting opposition supporters.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is Africa’s third-longest-serving leader. His latest victory means he could remain in power until 2031, potentially extending his rule to nearly half a century.
Wine and the National Unity Platform have rejected the election results, alleging ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, enforced disappearances of polling agents, and widespread repression.
As tensions rise, rights groups and opposition figures warn that Uganda is entering one of its most dangerous political periods in decades, with fears growing over the safety of opposition leaders and supporters.
