Police break silence on continued deployment at Bobi Wine’s residence, cite national security

• Police say security at Bobi Wine’s home is for national security, not restriction of movement.

• Bobi Wine remains in hiding, alleging he is being hunted — claims security denies.

• Deployment in Magere has drawn criticism, especially after Barbie Kyagulanyi alleged abuse by officers.

Uganda Police has come out to reveal how the continued security deployment at the home of National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, is being conducted strictly in the interest of national security.

Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said the security presence around Kyagulanyi’s residence is based on what he described as “specific operational postures” targeting potential security threats.

“So his home, like I shared earlier, and I have also shared before that we are doing it for security reasons, in the interest of the security of the country,” Rusoke explained.

He added that should the former Kyadondo East MP commit any offense, the law would take its normal course.

“If he commits a very particular offense, like I said earlier when I was talking about these issues, we would certainly either invite him to police or arrest him and take him to court,” Rusoke said.

Rusoke emphasized that the current deployment should not be interpreted as a curfew.

“A curfew is a highly restrictive measure for the movement of persons. We are not having curfews around. What we are having are spot checks in the interest of security and in line with the execution of our duty,” he clarified.

It should be noted that Bobi Wine has been in hiding since the casting of the January 16 presidential election. The two-time presidential candidate alleges that he is being hunted by security forces, claims authorities have consistently denied.

Most of the threats, according to the opposition camp, have come from Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has repeatedly threatened violence against the former legislator through public statements, something that has sparked political debate and concern among his supporters.

Since Bobi Wine’s disappearance from public view, security forces have been camped at his home in Magere. The deployment recently came under heavy criticism after his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, recounted alleged abuse by security officers — accusations that further intensified scrutiny of the operation.

Police, however, maintain that all actions taken remain within the law and are aimed at safeguarding national stability.