Bobi Wine to lead Ugandan opposition from abroad after election

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine says he has left the country and plans to continue leading the National Unity Platform from abroad after the contested Jan. 15, 2026 presidential election. In an interview with the BBC, the musician‑turned‑politician said he fled Uganda after two months in hiding because he believed security forces were trying to kill him and vowed to guide his party’s strategy from an undisclosed location.

He emphasised that his absence is temporary and that he intends to return to “continue the cause,” encouraging supporters to remain active on the ground.

Wine, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, went into hiding immediately after the January vote, which he alleges was rigged to keep President Yoweri Museveni in power. He told the BBC that sympathisers sheltered him and supplied food and clothing during the two‑month period. In a video posted to X on 14 March, he said he had left for “critical engagements” and thanked Ugandans who protected him. He reiterated in that message that he will come back and continue advocating for change.

Wine said he felt forced to leave because he believed the government intended to eliminate him. He accused Museveni’s son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, of issuing threats against him. He also alleged that security forces repeatedly raided supporters’ homes and set up roadblocks to search for him. Wine denies any wrongdoing, telling the BBC that “running for president is not a crime”.

Museveni, 81, who has led Uganda since 1986, was officially declared the winner of the Jan. 15 election with about 72 % of the vote. Opposition groups and rights organisations say the vote was marred by intimidation and violence. IT WAS reported that Wine plans to engage international allies while outside Uganda and later return to press for freedom and democracy; the Ugandan government has not responded to requests for comment on his departure, and police deny actively searching for him.

Wine said his family left the country ahead of him and that he has named his deputy, Lina Zedriga, as the acting leader of the National Unity Platform inside Uganda. He will direct the party’s strategy from abroad while Zedriga manages operations on the ground. Wine added that his departure should be seen as brief and called for targeted sanctions against Museveni’s government.