In a rare public break from the military establishment, Uganda’s Information Minister, Chris Baryomunsi, has condemned the recent military raid on the home of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Speaking on Monday, February 9, 2026, Baryomunsi characterized the invasion of the private residence as a violation of the law, asserting that the pop star-turned-politician has committed no crime and should be free to return to his home without fear of harassment.
The raid, which occurred in late January shortly after the disputed January 15 presidential election, has left the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader in hiding for nearly three weeks. During the operation at his Magere residence, Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbara Kyagulanyi, was reportedly assaulted and choked by soldiers, leading to her brief hospitalization. Minister Baryomunsi emphasized that the government does not condone “acts of indiscipline” by security forces, specifically citing the assault on Mrs. Kyagulanyi as “wrong.”
Despite this ministerial condemnation, the situation remains tense as the military hierarchy appears to be following a different directive. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, had previously referred to NUP members as “terrorists” and used social media to taunt the opposition leader. While Muhoozi later clarified that the military had “captured and then released” Bobi Wine’s wife, his rhetoric has fueled international concerns over a widening crackdown on dissent following Museveni’s seventh-term victory.
Human rights organizations have documented a sharp rise in post-election abuses, including the disappearance of senior opposition leaders and the mass arrest of hundreds of NUP supporters. From his undisclosed location, Bobi Wine has continued to challenge the military through digital platforms, rejecting the election results and urging the government to peacefully relinquish power. The minister’s statement is seen by some analysts as an attempt to de-escalate diplomatic pressure, though it remains unclear if any security personnel will face actual penalties for the raid.
The Information Minister’s rare rebuke of the military highlights deep internal fractures within the Museveni administration. As Bobi Wine remains “concealed by the people,” the contrast between the government’s verbal condemnation and the military’s ongoing manhunt underscores the fragile state of democracy and the rule of law in Uganda’s post-election landscape.
