Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine’s international lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, has written to President Museveni and the Ugandan authorities demanding immediate written guarantees for the life and physical integrity of the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and his family.
In a letter dated January 26, Amsterdam said Bobi Wine and his family face a “real and immediate risk” following the January 14 presidential elections, which Kyagulanyi has since rejected, citing widespread irregularities and rigging.
“I write on behalf of Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu) and, inseparably, on behalf of his family,” Amsterdam said. “The purpose of this letter is to formally demand the Government of Uganda commit to protecting Bobi Wine.”
Amsterdam described the security deployment around Kyagulanyi’s home in Magere as intimidation rather than protection, accusing the state of retaliation after the elections.
“This must be stated from the outset with the clarity the situation demands: the election that has been held has rendered a fraudulent outcome,” he wrote.
“What is now being carried out against Bobi and his family is therefore not a legitimate security measure, nor a neutral act of law enforcement. It is retaliation.”
Since the January 14 polls, Kyagulanyi has remained out of public view, saying he cannot reveal his location or return home due to fears for his safety.
He has continued to communicate with supporters through social media, warning of threats to his life and increased surveillance around his family.
Amsterdam said the heavy military presence around the Magere home amounts to coercion and collective punishment.
“The military forces deployed around Bobi Wine's family home cannot credibly be described as protection. It is coercion. It is intimidation. It is political punishment,” he wrote, adding that the situation had already “led to the violent attack on his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi.”
Barbie Kyagulanyi has in recent days spoken publicly about being assaulted during security operations at their home, further heightening concern among supporters and rights groups.
The lawyer also took aim at Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, citing his past statements against the opposition leader.
“General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has openly threatened the murder and castration of Bobi Wine.."
Amsterdam stressed that Kyagulanyi has committed no crime by contesting the election or claiming victory.
“Political disagreement does not justify harassment. A dispute over the official proclamation of results does not authorise persecution. And no authority can credibly claim democratic legitimacy while placing an entire family under threat," he stressed.
In the letter, Amsterdam outlined four non-negotiable demands, including immediate written guarantees for the life and physical integrity of Kyagulanyi and his family, the complete withdrawal of security forces from their residence, written guarantees against retaliation, and full preservation of all evidence related to security operations around the family.
“These demands are not negotiable, because they are not political. They are matters of survival,” he said.
He warned that any harm to Kyagulanyi or his family would trigger legal action at national and international levels.
His letter comes days after government assured that it was not in pursuit of Kyagulanyi and that he is free to return home from his hiding.
Appearing on NBS Television on Sunday, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi said government is not in pursuit of Kyagulanyi as the opposition leader claims and advised him to return home.
“There’s no need for him to be in hiding. No body wants him. He is not under pursuit by the police, the army or the state. He is free to come from wherever he is hiding and come to his home, and observe law and order,” he said.
The minister added that other candidates in the election are at peace and called on Kyagulanyi to end what he described as “the theatrics to cause a story where is none.”
“Presidential and Parliamentary elections are now done. We are now focusing on a few elections to complete the process and then move on with delivering our manifesto,” Baryomunsi said.