Bobi Wine accuses Uganda regime of persecuting security detail assigned to him, citing ‘neglect of duty’ charges

Nine Ugandan police officers assigned to provide security for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, during his presidential campaign have been dismissed from the Uganda Police Force with disgrace after being charged with neglect of duty, Kyagulanyi said in a social media post on Thursday.

The officers appeared before a Police Court on Wednesday, where authorities accused them of helping Kyagulanyi escape from his home during a military raid on January 16, the day after the January 15 presidential election.

Kyagulanyi, who leads the National Unity Platform (NUP) and went into hiding for about two months after the raid amid claims of electoral irregularities, dismissed the charges as unfounded. He said the officers were withdrawn from his security detail on election day, January 15, and were no longer on duty when he left his residence during the raid.

“The criminal regime claims that they assisted me to escape from my own home. Crazy!” Kyagulanyi wrote on X. He attributed the dismissals to the government’s embarrassment over his evasion of detection during his time in hiding, claiming authorities were seeking scapegoats.

Kyagulanyi stressed that the officers were deployed only to protect him, not to surveil his activities. He accused President Yoweri Museveni of transforming state institutions, including the police, into tools for perpetuating what he described as a “criminal enterprise” through illegal, criminal or immoral demands. He added that professional conduct by public servants has frequently resulted in reprisals under the current administration.

In addition to the dismissals, Kyagulanyi reported that at least two officers, including one identified as Kigenyi, were returned to detention at the Railway grounds police station in Kampala, where they remain under interrogation.

The developments follow the disputed January election, in which Museveni — who has led Uganda since 1986 — was declared the winner with a substantial majority. Kyagulanyi and the NUP have alleged widespread fraud, voter intimidation and restrictions on opposition activities. Security operations, including the raid on Kyagulanyi’s home, drew criticism from rights groups over excessive force and lack of transparency.

Uganda Police Force officials and government representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the court proceedings or the officers’ cases. The incident reflects ongoing strains between the ruling establishment and opposition elements in the post-election period.