Jan 20 (Reuters) - Uganda's military commander, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, gave opposition leader Bobi Wine 48 hours to surrender and said he was "praying" for Wine's death after a disputed presidential election. Wine says he fled a military raid before President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner and has accused officials of widespread fraud. Police said Wine was not being actively sought, while at least 118 members of the National Unity Platform face election-related charges.
Uganda Military Chief Gives Bobi Wine 48 Hours To Surrender, Says He Is 'Praying' For His Death
Suspects arrested for public nuisance, inciting violence and obstructing police officers during the recently concluded general elections stand at the City Hall Magistrate’s Court, where they were charged, in Kampala, Uganda, January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa
Jan 20 (Reuters) - Uganda's military commander, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, issued an ultimatum on Monday giving opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (known as Bobi Wine) 48 hours to surrender to police and said he was "praying" for Wine's death after a disputed presidential election.
Kyagulanyi, a former pop star who finished runner-up to long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said he escaped a military raid on his home hours before Museveni was officially declared the winner. He has been issuing statements from undisclosed locations and has alleged widespread fraud in last week's vote.
Ultimatum And Public Threats
Kainerugaba — Museveni's son and widely seen as a likely successor — posted a series of threatening messages on X late Monday, referring to Kyagulanyi by the derisive nickname "Kabobi." In one post he wrote:
"I am giving him exactly 48 hours to surrender himself to the Police. If he doesn't we will treat him as an outlaw/rebel and handle him accordingly."In another he said, referring to Kyagulanyi's National Unity Platform (NUP):
"We have killed 22 NUP terrorists since last week. I'm praying the 23rd is Kabobi."
Police Response And Post-Election Tensions
Police spokesperson Kituma Rusoke told reporters on Monday night that Bobi Wine was not being actively sought by the force. The comments came amid a tense campaign during which security forces repeatedly opened fire at Wine's rallies and several episodes of post-election violence were reported. In one disputed incident, police killed a number of opposition supporters in central Uganda.
Although there were fears the vote might trigger large-scale bloodshed similar to unrest seen in neighbouring countries, such mass violence did not materialise in the days following the election.
Background: Inflammatory Posts And Succession Talk
Kainerugaba, 51, is known for inflammatory social media posts, including a 2022 threat to invade neighbouring Kenya. Last year he also boasted of holding Wine's bodyguard in his basement and threatened to castrate him; that bodyguard was later charged with robbery.
Muhoozi has publicly signalled his political ambitions and is widely viewed as President Museveni's preferred successor. Museveni, 81, has denied that he is grooming his son to take over the presidency. The situation has heightened concern among Ugandans and international observers about the country's political future and respect for democratic processes.
Legal Actions
Court documents show that at least 118 National Unity Platform members were charged on Monday with election-related offences, including unlawful assembly and conspiracy. David Rubongoya, the NUP's secretary-general, denied that party members were involved in violent activity.
The developing standoff between the military leadership and the opposition adds to an already fraught post-election environment in Uganda, with questions over the integrity of the vote and the government's handling of dissent likely to draw continued domestic and international scrutiny.
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