Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has sparked concern with comments on social media suggesting he wants opposition leader Bobi Wine dead. This comes days after Wine claimed he had been forced into hiding due to alleged threats on his life. Wine, a pop star-turned-politician, has survived numerous attacks since entering politics.
General Kainerugaba’s comments follow his father, President Yoweri Museveni’s, win in the country’s general elections, which have been widely criticized by poll observers and rights groups. The opposition, led by Wine, alleges they faced violence and intimidation ahead of the vote, with international bodies accusing the government of “brutal repression.”
On social media, Kainerugaba posted that 22 members of Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party had been killed and expressed a desire for Wine to be the 23rd. He also gave Wine a 48-hour ultimatum to surrender to the police, threatening to treat him as an outlaw if he fails to comply.
Wine’s whereabouts remain unknown after he claimed to have escaped a police raid on his home, where his wife is reportedly under house arrest. He has rejected the election results, citing widespread irregularities, including ballot stuffing and intimidation by security forces. The 43-year-old leader has faced arrest and torture in the past, including during the 2021 election.
The Ugandan government has been accused of cracking down on opposition, with over 100 members of the NUP charged with various offenses related to violence around the election. General Kainerugaba’s comments have raised concerns about the safety of opposition leaders and the future of democracy in Uganda.
President Museveni, 81, was declared the winner of the January 15 poll with 71.6 percent of the vote, while Wine secured 24 percent. The election has been marred by controversy, with Wine and his party alleging widespread irregularities. The international community has called for calm and restraint, urging the government to respect the rights of opposition leaders and ensure a peaceful transition.
As the situation in Uganda continues to unfold, concerns about the country’s democratic process and the safety of opposition leaders remain. The international community is watching closely, with many calling for restraint and respect for human rights. The next steps for Wine and the opposition remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the situation in Uganda is precarious, and the world is waiting to see how events will unfold.
