Uganda’s main opposition leader, Bobi Wine, who has become the most formidable opponent to long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, was reportedly shot in the leg by security agents in a northern suburb of Kampala on Tuesday, according to his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, rose to prominence as a pop star before turning to politics. He finished as the runner-up in the 2021 presidential election, challenging Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), NUP alleged, “Security operatives have made an attempt on his life. He was shot in the leg and seriously injured.” The incident occurred as Wine and his team were reportedly marching down a road in the Bulindo neighbourhood when the altercation happened.
The Ugandan police have provided a different account of the events. According to a statement on X, officers on the scene attempted to block Wine and his team, which led to an altercation where Wine was injured. “Police officers on site claim he stumbled while getting into his vehicle, causing the injury, whereas Hon. Kyagulanyi and his team assert that he was shot,” the police statement read.
A video circulating on social media shows NUP officials helping Wine as he hobbled out of the Najeem Medical Centre, with a bleeding wound visible on his left shin and a pained expression on his face.
Also, a post by a spokesperson on Wine’s official X page read, “Our President His Excellency Bobi Wine has been shot in the leg by police in Bulindo! He’s been rushed to hospital for urgent medical attention. We’ll keep the country updated on his situation.”
NUP’s Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, condemned the incident, calling it a “cowardly action” and yet another attempt on Wine’s life. “The continuing violence meted out on those opposed to the Museveni regime must be condemned by all people of good conscience,” Rubongoya wrote.
Museveni’s government has been repeatedly accused by opponents and human rights activists of suppressing the opposition, a charge that Museveni has consistently denied.
The incident has further heightened tensions in Uganda, where the political climate remains fraught with allegations of human rights abuses and crackdowns on dissent.
