By Dalena Reporters l January 2, 2026
KAMPALA — Uganda’s prominent opposition figure and 2021 presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known by his stage name Bobi Wine, on Friday, January 2, 2026, accused the government of President Yoweri Museveni of orchestrating a plot to arrest him in the run‑up to Uganda’s 2026 presidential election, deepening political tensions in the East African nation.
In a statement circulated on social media, Bobi Wine who leads the National Unity Platform (NUP) and is among the most vocal critics of the long‑serving Museveni administration claimed that state security apparatuses are preparing to detain him on alleged trumped‑up charges in an effort to impede his campaign activities. He warned that such a move would undermine the integrity of the electoral process and stoke broader instability.
Bobi Wine’s allegations reflect deep mistrust between the opposition and the government over the conduct of forthcoming elections. Uganda’s political climate in recent years has been marked by recurrent accusations from opposition figures of harassment, restricted civic space and selective prosecutions aimed at weakening political competitors. He reiterated his call for international observers and human‑rights monitors to scrutinise upcoming polls and ensure they meet established standards of fairness and transparency.
The alleged pre‑emptive targeting comes as Uganda prepares for its presidential election scheduled for early 2026, where Museveni in power since 1986 is widely expected to seek re‑election, and Bobi Wine is among the leading challengers. The campaign period has already seen mass rallies and heated exchanges between party supporters, but also reports of curbs on opposition mobilisation and civil liberties.
Uganda’s government has not yet publicly responded to the latest allegations. In past instances, state officials have denied claims of targeted persecution and characterised opposition complaints as political posturing. Nonetheless, the political standoff continues to attract attention from regional organisations such as the African Union and East African Community, both of which have historically urged peaceful and credible electoral processes.
Observers say that any pre‑election arrest of a key opposition figure could set off legal challenges and amplify calls for accountability, while raising questions about governance, institutional independence and the broader democratic trajectory within Uganda.