Bobi Wine Seeks International Support Against Ugandan Government After Fleeing to US
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has surfaced in the United States after days of uncertainty over his location, claiming he fled his homeland to escape threats to his life. The National Unity Platform (NUP) leader appeared in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, ending speculation about his whereabouts and signaling a new phase in his campaign to challenge Uganda’s government.
Speaking to RFI, Wine revealed that he left Uganda to seek international backing against what he describes as a repressive regime. “I ran away from my country for safety. The military was looking for me to kill me,” he said. “But I also wanted to be able to speak to the international community, to engage international partners.”
The musician-turned-politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has been a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades. Wine gained prominence during Uganda’s contentious January 2021 presidential election, which he claims was marred by fraud and violence. Since then, he has lived in hiding, facing mounting pressure from security forces.
In a photo shared on social media, Wine stood in front of the U.S. Capitol, dressed in a suit and holding a laptop, signaling the start of his lobbying efforts in Washington. His trip comes amid reports that his home in Uganda had been surrounded by security personnel, and threats from Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who openly called for Wine’s death on social media.
“My departure was carried out discreetly,” Wine said, refusing to disclose details of his journey for security reasons. “I know I’m being pursued.”
Wine’s mission in the U.S. centers on garnering international pressure against Museveni’s government. He is calling for sanctions from global powers like the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, accusing them of indirectly supporting a regime that perpetuates human rights abuses.
“We want the international community to stop sponsoring terror in Uganda, to stop sponsoring a dictator that has been in power for 40 years,” he said. “This is a dictatorship that tortures people for fun on camera.”
Details of his stay in Washington remain unclear, including the specific individuals he plans to meet and the duration of his visit. However, Wine emphasized that his trip is temporary and part of a broader strategy to challenge misinformation about Uganda’s political climate.
“I will be meeting the people that matter in regards to Uganda,” he said. “I want to go everywhere where the dictatorship has a footing to ensure that we undo the lies.”
Wine confirmed that he has already begun meetings on Capitol Hill, where U.S. lawmakers shape foreign policy. Despite the risks, he remains resolute about returning to Uganda. “Uganda is my home, and I will be back,” he said. “Just like they don’t know how I left, I’m not going to brief them on my return.”
The NUP leader’s reappearance in the U.S. marks a pivotal moment in his struggle against Museveni’s government. His efforts to mobilize international support could intensify scrutiny on Uganda’s human rights record and increase pressure on the Museveni administration.
As Wine continues his lobbying efforts abroad, his supporters in Uganda await his return, hoping his international campaign will bring tangible change to a country long plagued by authoritarian rule.
— Reported by Nexio News
