Robert Amsterdam, attorney for opposition leader Bobi Wine, urged the international community to secure immediate, verifiable guarantees for Wine’s safety after threatening statements by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s army chief. Wine says he is in hiding following social media posts in which Kainerugaba claimed more than 2,000 detainees and wrote that “30 NUP terrorists” had been killed. The election, which official results gave to President Yoweri Museveni, was marred by an internet shutdown, faulty biometric machines and allegations of ballot-stuffing; the UN has called for restraint.
Bobi Wine’s Lawyer Appeals for International Safety Guarantees After Threats by Uganda’s Army Chief
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, famously known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), arrives with his wife to cast their votes, during the presidential election at a polling station, in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
KAMPALA, Uganda — An attorney for opposition leader Bobi Wine on Friday urged the international community to demand “immediate, verifiable guarantees” for his client’s safety after repeated threatening statements by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s army chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni.
A man lies in front of a campaign poster for leading opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine in downtown Kampala, Uganda, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Robert Amsterdam, in a statement emailed to The Associated Press, said Wine — whose legal name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu — feels intimidated by what he described as the “reckless statements” of Gen. Kainerugaba. Amsterdam warned that, because Kainerugaba is the nation’s top military officer, his words carry operational weight and increase the risk of unlawful harm.
FILE - Ugandan singer, politician, and opposition figure Bobi Wine speaks to The Associated Press at his political party office (National Unity Platform) in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, file)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
“Under international law, such threats trigger immediate obligations on the part of the Ugandan government to prevent violence, protect life and ensure the safety of those at risk,” Amsterdam said.
Escalating Tensions After a Contested Election
Official results from last week’s presidential vote showed President Yoweri Museveni winning 71.6% of the vote to Bobi Wine’s 24.7%. Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), rejected the results as fraudulent and says he is now in hiding because he fears for his safety.
A supporter of Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, holds onto a campaign poster in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
In a televised address, Museveni accused the opposition of attempting to foment violence around the vote. In parallel, Gen. Kainerugaba has posted inflammatory messages on the social platform X, at times deleting them, and has recently singled out Wine with insults — calling him a “baboon” and a “terrorist.” Kainerugaba also claimed that more than 2,000 Wine supporters had been detained and tweeted: “So far we have killed 30 NUP terrorists.” He offered no details about where or how those alleged killings occurred.
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, famously known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), arrives with his wife to cast their votes, during the presidential election at a polling station, in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Arrests, Charges and Election Irregularities
Ugandan police detained one of Wine’s key allies, Muwanga Kivumbi, a lawmaker and deputy president of the NUP. Authorities charged Kivumbi with terrorism on Friday for alleged involvement in violence in his constituency that left seven people dead; he denies the allegations.
While authorities say Wine himself is not wanted or formally accused of a crime, several posts by Kainerugaba suggest security forces may be searching for him. Wine and his party also allege widespread irregularities during the election, including ballot-stuffing in some areas they view as Museveni strongholds.
Operational Concerns and Calls for International Action
Amsterdam urged the United Nations and other international actors to press the Ugandan government for concrete assurances that Wine will not be harmed. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for restraint by all actors and respect for the rule of law and Uganda’s human rights obligations.
The campaign and voting period were marked by a dayslong internet shutdown and failures of biometric voter identification machines that delayed voting in parts of Kampala and other regions. Security forces were a constant presence during the campaign; Wine has said his team was followed and supporters harassed, with authorities deploying tear gas at rallies. He campaigned wearing a flak jacket and helmet because of security fears.
Museveni, 81, will serve a seventh term, extending close to five decades in power. His supporters credit him with relative stability in a troubled region, but he has not named a successor and faces little visible competition within his ruling National Resistance Movement.
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