Former National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has launched a scathing attack on Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, accusing him of defending past atrocities and acting as a “pseudo-intellectual” in service of the সরকার.
In a statement posted on his X account early Friday, Kyagulanyi compared Ayebare to individuals who historically defended oppressive regimes, warning that history would judge such actions harshly.
“Even Hitler had pseudo-intellectuals like yourself singing praises for him and justifying the crimes he committed against his people until he fell. I know you're protecting your job, but there must be a limit to how low you can sink,” he wrote.
“You're ashamed that I beat your paymaster at his game. One day Uganda will be free, but history does not forget and is never kind to your kind.”
The remarks were in response to Ayebare’s criticism of Kyagulanyi’s recent international engagements, which he described as a “publicity stunt rather than a substantive engagement.”
Ayebare maintained that Uganda had not restricted Kyagulanyi’s travel and argued that authorities would have issued an Interpol red notice if there had been any intention to block him.
He further suggested that Kyagulanyi should return to Uganda to pursue his grievances locally and downplayed the influence of his international allies, including activist Jeffrey Smith.
Kyagulanyi, however, confirmed that he has embarked on a series of international engagements aimed at highlighting concerns over Uganda’s contested January 15 presidential election.
“Started my international engagements today with meetings on Capitol Hill, in Washington DC,” he wrote earlier in the week.
The trip marks his first public in-person engagements abroad after spending more than eight weeks operating from undisclosed locations following the elections.
During that period, he addressed the Geneva Summit and made virtual presentations to European Union officials, raising concerns about electoral integrity and human rights.
“I am announcing my brief exit from the country to handle important work. Over the next few weeks, I will engage with our friends in the diaspora before returning to Uganda to continue the push for freedom and democracy,” he said in a video message.
During his absence, Kyagulanyi appointed Dr Lina Zedriga Waru, the party’s Vice President for Western Uganda, as acting leader.
His departure followed what he described as an escape from his residence in Magere on January 16 amid a military raid. He claimed to have evaded security operatives and received protection from ordinary citizens.
Government authorities have denied these claims, stating that any security presence around his home was intended to prevent unrest.
Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi said the government has no intention of arresting or harming Kyagulanyi, explaining that deployments at his residence are meant to stop it from becoming a “hub for public disorder.”
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke added that security personnel would remain at the premises until Kyagulanyi returns.
Kyagulanyi has rejected the official election results, which declared incumbent Yoweri Museveni the winner, describing the outcome as fraudulent and accusing the Electoral Commission of failing to provide mandatory declaration forms.
However, he has not presented publicly verified evidence to substantiate the claims.
He has also declined to challenge the results in court, citing a lack of confidence in the judiciary, and instead called for peaceful protests.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Henry Oryem Okello dismissed Kyagulanyi’s international outreach as ineffective, characterising it as an attempt to gain sympathy from Western audiences rather than a meaningful political strategy.
Oryem argued that foreign governments have not raised concerns with Uganda regarding the elections and insisted that such engagements would not significantly impact the country’s international relations.