By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the eldest son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the country’s Chief of Defence Forces, has sparked outrage after publicly claiming that 22 members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) were killed during Uganda’s general elections.
In a post on social media platform X, Muhoozi suggested that opposition leader Bobi Wine was the intended next target, referring to him as the “twenty-third”.
“We have killed 22 NUP terrorists since last week. I’m praying the 23rd is Kabobi,” Muhoozi wrote on his verified X handle.
The remarks amount to an apparent admission of the killing of opposition supporters and come amid heightened tensions following the disputed re-election of President Museveni, 81, who was declared winner of the polls and secured a seventh term in office.
The comments were made as Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, reported a dramatic overnight raid on his residence in Magere by security forces.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Wine said soldiers and police stormed his home late Friday night, cutting electricity, disabling some CCTV cameras and deploying helicopters overhead.
“Last night was very difficult at our home in Magere. The military and police raided us. They switched off power and cut off some of our CCTV cameras. There were helicopters hovering over,” he said.
Wine confirmed that he managed to evade arrest, but said his wife and other family members were placed under house arrest.
“I want to confirm that I managed to escape from them. Currently, I am not at home, although my wife and other family members remain under house arrest. I know that these criminals are looking for me everywhere, and I am trying my best to keep safe,” he stated.
Addressing reports about his disappearance, Wine attributed the confusion to a nationwide internet shutdown. “I understand that there has been great concern and speculation regarding my whereabouts. Please understand this is the context of a nationwide internet shutdown,” he said, adding that neighbours believed he had been abducted following the raid.
Wine has rejected the election results, describing them as fraudulent and lacking legitimacy. “I reiterate our COMPLETE REJECTION of the fake results Byabakama is reading. In addition to the ballot stuffing, the military takeover of the election, the detention of our leaders and polling officials, and other electoral offences, their results have zero backing,” he said.
He also condemned the killing of protesters and called for accountability.
“We condemn the murder of numerous citizens who have thus far attempted to peacefully demonstrate against the broad daylight thuggery,” Wine added.
Insisting on the right of Ugandans to protest, the opposition leader accused authorities of systematically targeting NUP candidates across the country. “Aside from the blatant theft of the presidential election, these criminals have employed various fraudulent techniques to usurp the will of the people in numerous constituencies. NUP candidates are being targeted — even when there is 100 percent evidence that they won. This is absolute madness,” he said. Wine ended his statement defiantly: “The people of Uganda will ultimately win”.
Earlier, the National Unity Platform said in a post on X that an army helicopter landed inside Wine’s compound and that he was “forcibly taken away to an unknown destination.” The party also alleged that Wine’s private security guards were violently assaulted during the operation.
The incident occurred as Uganda awaited the announcement of final election results, expected around 1300 GMT on Saturday, raising fears over the safety of opposition figures and the credibility of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, reports of deadly force against opposition affiliates have also emerged in central Uganda. Muwanga Kivumbi, a member of parliament representing Butambala constituency under the NUP, told AFP that security forces killed 10 of his campaign agents after storming his home.
According to Kivumbi, the agents were hiding in his garage when security personnel opened fire. His wife, Zahara Nampewo, a law professor, said the victims were shot after security forces fired through the garage door.
