Uganda opposition leader says wife hospitalised after being choked by soldiers
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Ugandan pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi - also known as Bobi Wine - leaving a pre-election press conference on Jan 15 with his wife, Mrs Barbara Kyagulanyi.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Bobi Wine reports his wife was hospitalised after soldiers raided their home, assaulting her and demanding his location.
- Wine, hiding after escaping a previous raid, alleges extensive election fraud after Museveni won with 71.6% of the vote.
- Kainerugaba threatened to treat Wine as a rebel and admitted to killing 30 NUP supporters, prompting UN concern.
AI generated
NAIROBI - Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine said on Jan 24 his wife had been taken to hospital after soldiers invaded their residence, partially undressed and choked her.
Mr Wine, a pop star-turned-politician, was not at the property and is in hiding after he escaped a previous raid on his home last week hours before he was announced as the runner-up in the Jan 15 presidential election.
Overnight into Jan 24, soldiers forcefully entered the opposition leader’s home in the Magere suburb in Kampala’s north, breaking down doors and beating up staff, Mr Wine said in a post on X.
Ugandan military spokesperson Chris Magezi could not immediately be reached for comment.
Four-decade incumbent ruler Yoweri Museveni, 81, was declared winner of the vote with 71.6 per cent against Mr Wine’s 24 per cent.
Mr Wine rejected the results, alleging extensive fraud including ballot stuffing.
During the raid on the residence, Mr Wine said, the soldiers held his wife, Mrs Barbara Kyagulanyi, at gunpoint, asking her to reveal his whereabouts.
“They grabbed my wife’s phone, forced her to sit down, and ordered her to remove her password. She refused. They strangled her and insulted her,” Mr Wine said.
“They forcefully removed her blouse and took pictures... my wife was rushed to hospital where she remains admitted.”
Pop star-turned-politician Mr Wine said in a post on X that soldiers broke down doors and beat up staff, before assaulting his wife.
SCREENSHOT: X/@HEBOBIWINE
Ugandan military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also Mr Museveni’s son, has demanded that Mr Wine surrender to police or he would be treated as a rebel, and has also issued death threats to him.
On Jan 23, Mr Kainerugaba also said authorities had killed 30 supporters of Mr Wine’s party National Unity Platform (NUP) and detained 2,000 others. Mr Wine has not been accused of any crime.
Mr Wine alleges that money, documents and other electronic gadgets were also taken during the raid.
On Jan 22, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the arrests and violence involving opposition figures and supporters.
Rights groups and opposition critics have long accused Mr Museveni of using the military to maintain his grip on power.
Ruling party officials deny the accusations, and say Mr Museveni’s long rule is due to popular support among the voters. REUTERS
