The post-election crisis in Uganda has taken a darker, more violent turn as General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the country’s Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, publicly admitted that security forces have killed 22 opposition supporters since last week’s disputed polls.
In a series of chilling posts on X (formerly Twitter) late Monday and early Tuesday, General Kainerugaba issued a direct death threat to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, giving him a 48-hour ultimatum to surrender to the police.
“We have killed 22 NUP terrorists since last week. I’m praying the 23rd is Kabobi,” Kainerugaba wrote, using a derisive nickname for the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader.
He continued his tirade by declaring, “As for Kabobi, the permanent loser, I’m giving him exactly 48 hours to surrender himself to the Police. If he doesn’t we will treat him as an outlaw/rebel and handle him accordingly.”
The ultimatum comes days after the Electoral Commission declared the 81-year-old President Museveni the winner of the January 15 general election with 71.65 percent of the vote, securing his seventh elective term and extending his four-decade rule. Bobi Wine, who officially garnered roughly 25 percent of the vote, has rejected the results as a “fabrication” and “blatant theft,” alleging massive ballot stuffing and widespread intimidation.
General Kainerugaba’s admission of 22 deaths contradicts earlier police statements that downplayed the casualty figures. Violence erupted in several districts, most notably in Butambala, where opposition officials claim security forces opened fire on a watch party at an MP’s residence, killing at least 10 people. The military has characterized these incidents as defensive measures against “machete-wielding goons” attempting to storm tallying centers.
The General’s rhetoric has alarmed human rights groups and international observers. In other posts, he referred to the 43-year-old opposition leader as a “baboon” and claimed he possesses a nose “too big to be human,” prompting outrage over the dehumanizing language from a high-ranking state official.
The whereabouts of Bobi Wine remain unknown. The opposition leader announced on Saturday that he had fled his home in Magere to escape a military raid, claiming soldiers had cut power to his residence and assaulted his private security. His wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, reportedly remains under house arrest at their residence, which is currently surrounded by heavy military deployment.
In a broadcast from an undisclosed location, Wine stated, “My life is in danger, but the freedom of Uganda is worth more than the life of one man.” He has called on his supporters to reject the election results through peaceful protest, a call that the government has branded as an attempt to incite insurrection.
The tense standoff is unfolding under a partial information blackout. The Ugandan government shut down the internet on the eve of the election. While connectivity has been restored for some businesses, social media platforms remain blocked, forcing citizens to use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access information.
International reaction has been critical but cautious. The U.S. State Department and European Union observers noted “irregularities” and a “climate of fear” surrounding the polls but have yet to announce specific sanctions. Meanwhile, regional bodies like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have already congratulated President Museveni on his re-election, highlighting the diplomatic divide over Uganda’s governance.
As the 48-hour deadline approaches, fears are mounting in Kampala that the military may launch a manhunt for Wine, potentially triggering further unrest in a country where the median age is less than 16 and youth disillusionment with the regime is at an all-time high.
