Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has told the BBC that he fled the country after fearing for his life following the disputed January presidential election.
Speaking to the BBC’s Newshour program from an undisclosed location, the opposition figure said he had spent two months in hiding within Uganda before eventually escaping abroad. “It was clear that the regime wanted to eliminate me,” he said, citing what he described as persistent threats.
The politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, had earlier announced his departure in a video shared on X, where he reiterated claims that the election had been rigged in favor of President Yoweri Museveni.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, secured 72% of the vote in the election, according to official results. The president has previously dismissed allegations of electoral fraud and accused opposition groups of attempting to overturn the outcome through violence.
During the interview, Bobi Wine said he survived his time in hiding with support from ordinary Ugandans. “People gave me food, people gave me clothing and everything else,” he said.
He also alleged that there had been multiple attempts on his life, claiming that threats had been made publicly by the president’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who heads Uganda’s military. The general had previously posted messages on X stating that Bobi Wine was “wanted dead or alive” and making additional threats, though those posts have since been deleted.
Some government officials have denied that security forces were actively pursuing the opposition leader, and police have yet to publicly comment on the claims.
Despite leaving Uganda, Bobi Wine said he still does not feel safe. “Even if I’m out of Uganda, I am still not safe because I know that I’m being pursued by a regime… that is able to pursue its political enemies wherever they are,” he said.
He declined to reveal details about how he left the country, citing concerns for those who assisted him. He added that his family had departed earlier, but expressed concern for members of his party, the National Unity Platform, who remain in Uganda.
Bobi Wine said his deputy, Lina Zedriga, would oversee party activities on the ground while he continues leadership efforts from abroad.
The opposition leader described his departure as temporary and expressed hope of returning to Uganda. In his recent video statement, he also called for targeted international sanctions against President Museveni.
He further alleged that security forces had repeatedly raided the homes of his supporters in search of him and maintained a military presence around his residence in Kampala since election day. Authorities have not confirmed these claims.
Bobi Wine denied any wrongdoing, stating, “Running for president is not a crime.”
Following protests over the election results, Gen Kainerugaba claimed that 30 individuals he described as “terrorists” linked to Bobi Wine’s party had been killed, further intensifying concerns about political tensions and human rights in Uganda.
