The home of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, has remained under tight security for six days since the conclusion of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
Security forces, including police and military personnel, have surrounded his residence in Magere, Wakiso District, since Thursday afternoon, when Kyagulanyi cast his vote.
The area remains largely restricted, barring access to the public, close family members, party officials, and visitors. On Monday, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) confirmed a visit to Kyagulanyi’s home.
“The Head of our Kampala Regional Office interacted with his wife, Barbara Kyagulanyi, who advised that her husband was not available to engage with the team at the time. UHRC engagement remains ongoing,” the commission said.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya told Uganda Radio Network that he attempted to deliver food to Kyagulanyi’s home but was blocked by security.
Roadblocks have been set up at all access points, and some security personnel have taken up positions in tents near the property.
“I received phone calls from Kyagulanyi’s wife requesting food supplies, so I bought groceries for them, but the army did not allow me to go beyond the roadblocks. They kept saying to wait for communication from their commanders, but I eventually gave up without delivering the supplies,” Rubongoya said.
Journalists and other visitors were also denied access, though neighbors with vehicles are allowed to pass through security checks.
In a recorded video on Monday, Kyagulanyi said he is in hiding after narrowly avoiding arrest or house arrest on Friday, when security agencies allegedly broke into his residence.
“I escaped when I realized they’d started monitoring my house with a helicopter and increasing security around my area. I knew they wanted to arrest me or put me under house arrest,” he said.
He added that he left home to maintain communication with supporters after networks were disrupted and his communications were allegedly being tapped.
“It’s been days since I left home; I want to be with my family, but I had to escape to speak to my people. I received information that they were planning to arrest me. I need to speak to my people. My vice presidents in Northern and Western Uganda are already missing,” Kyagulanyi said.
Over the weekend, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke stated that Kyagulanyi was not under house arrest, but that security measures were in place to prevent potential incitement of violence, based on intelligence received.
Via his X handle (formerly Twitter), Kyagulanyi said that military personnel stationed at his home had banged on doors, ordering men in the compound to come out.
“We demand that the military vacate our home immediately. My wife and my people are not safe. They are starving after these criminals blocked food from reaching them. They cut the padlocks of our gates and replaced them with chains,” he tweeted. Kyagulanyi came second in the election, receiving 2,743,190 votes (24.72%), while President Yoweri Museveni won with 7,946,772 votes (71.65%).
Kyagulanyi rejected the results, citing violence against his supporters and alleged irregularities, but said he would not challenge the outcome in court, citing distrust of Uganda’s judicial system.
Protests erupted in parts of Kampala on Friday, following voting day, with security forces using teargas and live bullets to disperse crowds who were burning tyres and blocking roads. Reports indicate that at least three people were killed in Bwaise, and others in Makindye-Katwe.
In Butambala, at least seven people were allegedly shot dead during election-related unrest. On Monday, over 100 individuals were brought to court over election violence and public nuisance, while many others remain in detention. Police said they would release further details on incidents that occurred during polling day.
****URN****