Bobi Wine decries continued political repression in Uganda

Africa, Politics

LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has condemned what he described as ongoing political repression by the Ugandan Government and security agencies, particularly targeting his security team.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Wine alleged that during the 2021 election, police officers attached to his campaign were violently attacked and subjected to brutality. He further claimed that after the polls, several of them, including their head Afande Kato, were arrested and detained for an extended period.

He said the officers were interrogated about his party’s sources of funding, his meetings, and election strategies, as well as why they sought to shield him from violent attacks by other sections of the police and military. Wine added that similar harassment has continued into 2026, with campaign officers again being arrested and questioned.

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The opposition leader stressed that these officers were targeted simply for performing their duties with professionalism and patriotism. He urged Ugandans to stand in solidarity with them and work toward securing their freedom.

The statement reads in part: “In the 2021 election, the police officers who were attached to our campaign were attacked violently and subjected to all manner of brutality. After the election, several of them including their head, Afande Kato were arrested and detained for a long period.”

“Now, in 2026, we have learnt that the officers who were attached to our campaign have also been arrested and are being interrogated. These officers are usually targeted for doing their job with professionalism and patriotism. May we all stand in solidarity with them, and work for their freedom.”

Wine, who has endured political harassment since 2017, now faces arrest and challenges to his party’s legitimacy—underscoring the broader struggle between Uganda’s opposition and President Museveni’s entrenched administration.