Bobi Wine Confirms Departure Abroad After Weeks in Hiding

Bobi Wine Confirms Trip Abroad After Weeks in Hiding The President of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, has confirmed that he has travelled outside Uganda after spending more than two months in hiding following the controversial January 15 presidential election.

In a video shared on his official social media accounts on Saturday, the opposition leader said he had left the country to hold meetings with supporters and partners in the diaspora as part of ongoing efforts to mobilise international support.

Kyagulanyi, who has remained out of the public eye since the election period, used the message to thank individuals who offered him protection and support during the time he was in hiding.

“I want to thank all fellow Ugandans who concealed and protected me while the regime was looking for me.

Many of you fed me, clothed me and offered me shelter. I cannot mention your names for security reasons, but may God bless you,” he said.

He explained that the visit abroad will involve consultations with friends and allies in different parts of the world before he eventually returns to Uganda.

“Over the next few weeks I will engage with our friends across the world and after that return to my country to continue the struggle for freedom and democracy,” he said.

Kyagulanyi also criticised the actions of security agencies, accusing them of mounting widespread operations aimed at locating him.

He claimed that roadblocks were set up in several areas where security officers stopped vehicles and conducted searches.

According to him, security forces also raided the home of his personal assistant, Don Shariff Najja, but failed to find either of them.

Kyagulanyi alleged that Najja’s wife was instead taken away by security operatives and her whereabouts remain unknown.

The two-time presidential candidate further condemned the arrest and dismissal of nine police officers who had been assigned to provide him security during the campaign period by the Electoral Commission.

Kyagulanyi said the officers were punished because they allegedly refused to cooperate with authorities after their assignment ended.

In his absence, the NUP leader announced that the party’s Deputy President, Dr. Alina Zedriga, will serve as acting president until he returns.

In recent weeks, residents across several parts of the Kampala Metropolitan Area reported increased security checkpoints and vehicle inspections, particularly in areas such as Gayaza, sparking speculation that authorities were searching for the opposition leader.

However, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces spokesperson, Col. Chris Magezi, dismissed the claims, stating that the operations were routine enforcement measures aimed at improving traffic discipline rather than targeting Kyagulanyi.