Bobi Wine escapes from house arrest, demonstrates in city

KAMPALA. Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate Bobi Wine on Friday escaped from his besieged home where police had kept under house arrest.

Police and the military surrounded his residence and put him “under house arrest” ahead of a planned protest yesterday organised by the opposition politicians against the poor condition of roads in Uganda, which is hosting two global summits this month.

Wine whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, challenged veteran President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda’s last election in 2021, calling for an end to his iron-fisted rule.

Former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change opposition party said Thursday that he too was not allowed to leave his house.

“Barricaded at home by the COWARDS! No turning back; we deserve better. Please do what you can, wherever you’re, with whatever you have, to show the terrible roads affecting you today,” he posted on X.

A police spokesman confirmed the “security deployment” outside the two residences.

“We have taken some measures to stop them from instigating some people to hold unlawful assemblies and political demonstrations,” Patrick Onyango, spokesman for Kampala Metropolitan Police, told AFP.

“There is security deployment at Bobi Wine and Dr Besigye’s homes not to arrest but as a preventive measure in line with police mandate.”