KAMPALA, Uganda — The legal representative for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has issued an urgent appeal to the global community, demanding verifiable safety guarantees following what he describes as systematic threats from the nation’s highest military authority. Robert Amsterdam, attorney for the opposition figure, characterized the situation as critically dangerous in a formal statement distributed to international media outlets.
The controversy centers on General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni and current head of Uganda’s armed forces, whose inflammatory social media rhetoric has targeted Wine repeatedly. The general has publicly referred to the opposition leader as both ‘baboon’ and ‘terrorist’ while claiming credit for the detention of over 2,000 supporters from Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP). Most alarmingly, Kainerugaba asserted via Twitter that security forces had ‘killed 30 NUP terrorists’ without providing substantiating details.
These developments occur against the backdrop of disputed electoral results that granted Museveni a seventh presidential term with 71.6% of votes, compared to Wine’s 24.7% share. The opposition has consistently rejected these figures as fraudulent, citing widespread irregularities including internet blackouts, malfunctioning voting technology, and alleged ballot stuffing in government strongholds.
Wine currently remains in hiding, expressing legitimate fears for his physical safety despite official police statements that he faces no criminal charges. This contradiction highlights the apparent rift between Uganda’s civil law enforcement and military leadership regarding the treatment of political dissent.
The situation escalated further with the recent arrest and terrorism charges against Muwanga Kivumbi, deputy president of Wine’s political party. Authorities accuse Kivumbi of orchestrating electoral violence in his constituency that resulted in seven fatalities—allegations he vehemently denies.
Amsterdam emphasized that Kainerugaba’s statements cannot be dismissed as mere social media provocations, noting that as Uganda’s top military official, his words ‘carry the weight of state power and have operational significance.’ The attorney invoked international law obligations requiring the Ugandan government to prevent violence and protect those under threat.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has concurrently appealed for restraint from all parties and respect for legal protocols and human rights standards. The international community now faces mounting pressure to intervene in what appears to be an increasingly volatile political climate in the East African nation.