Outgoing Mawokota South Member of Parliament Yusuf Nsibambi has called on National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, to return home and participate in dialogue aimed at resolving the country’s ongoing political tensions.
Speaking during the Uganda Law Society weekly press briefing in Kampala on Thursday, Nsibambi urged Kyagulanyi’s supporters and associates to persuade him to re-engage in national affairs from within the country.
“Those of you who can reach the NUP President, please advise him to return. Mr President, we need you here. Efforts to secure the release of those many dubbed ‘political prisoners’ are underway. Your Excellency, we need you back home. We cannot help resolve your misunderstandings with the government while you are away,” Nsibambi said.
Nsibambi recently defected from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) after leading a group of opposition leaders to State House for a closed-door meeting with President Museveni.
He revealed that about 80 detainees described as political prisoners are expected to be released in the coming days following direct talks with what he referred to as “the Executive.”
Kyagulanyi’s absence follows the January 15, 2026 general election, in which President Museveni was declared winner with 7,946,772 votes (71.65 percent), while Kyagulanyi polled 2,741,238 votes (24.72 percent), according to official Electoral Commission results.
After the declaration, Kyagulanyi rejected the outcome, describing it as “fake” and accusing the Electoral Commission of manipulating the process.
He alleged that results were announced without the mandatory Declaration of Results forms, though he has not presented evidence publicly to substantiate the claims.
On January 16, 2026, Kyagulanyi reportedly left his residence in Magere and went into hiding following what he described as a military raid on his home.
Since then, he has communicated with supporters through social media, maintaining that state security agencies are targeting him — allegations government officials have denied.
He later claimed that his home had been raided, family members tortured and his wife publicly humiliated.
Kyagulanyi has stated that he will not challenge the election results in court, citing a lack of trust in the judiciary. Instead, he has called on his supporters to engage in peaceful protests, insisting the election was stolen.
Government officials have dismissed accusations of political persecution. Minister for Information and Communications Technology and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi recently said the government has no plans to arrest or harm the opposition leader.
Responding to remarks by Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba that appeared to suggest Kyagulanyi could be pursued, Baryomunsi clarified that security deployments at the opposition leader’s residence were intended to prevent it from becoming what he termed a “hub for public disorder.”
Nsibambi’s appeal comes amid ongoing political tensions following the election, with calls from some quarters for dialogue while others continue to question the legitimacy of the electoral process.
