LONDON — Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has said he fled the country fearing for his life following a disputed presidential election, alleging that state actors were targeting him.
In an interview with the BBC, the opposition figure—whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu—said he went into hiding for two months before eventually escaping Uganda.
“It was clear that the regime wanted to eliminate me,” he said, speaking from an undisclosed location. “Even if I’m out of Uganda, I am still not safe because I know that I’m being pursued by a regime… that is able to pursue its political enemies wherever they are.”
Wine, who challenged President Yoweri Museveni in the January election, has consistently rejected the official results, claiming the vote was rigged. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, was declared winner with 72% of the vote.
“Running for president is not a crime,” Wine said, defending his participation in the election and dismissing allegations of wrongdoing.
During his time in hiding, the opposition leader said he relied on supporters for survival. “People gave me food, people gave me clothing and everything else,” he noted.
He also accused security agencies of repeatedly searching for him, including conducting raids on homes of his supporters and maintaining a military presence around his residence in Kampala.
Wine further claimed that threats against him had been made publicly, including by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the president’s son and head of the military, who had earlier posted messages suggesting the opposition leader was “wanted dead or alive.” The posts were later deleted.
However, some government officials have denied that security forces were pursuing him, and authorities have not publicly confirmed the allegations.
Wine said his family had left Uganda earlier, but expressed concern for members of his National Unity Platform who remain in the country. He named his deputy, Lina Zedriga, to oversee party activities in his absence.
“She’ll be guiding and leading on ground while I’ll be guiding and leading from wherever I will be,” he said.
Despite his departure, Wine described his exit as temporary and expressed a desire to return, while also calling for targeted international sanctions against the Ugandan government.
The developments come amid heightened political tensions following the election, with reports of protests and a crackdown on opposition supporters.
