Uganda’s Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Shot by Security Forces in Kampala: His Party Condemns Attack

Uganda’s main opposition leader, Bobi Wine, who has become the most significant challenger to long-time President Yoweri Museveni, was reportedly shot in the leg by security forces in a northern suburb of Kampala on Tuesday, according to his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Bobi Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi, rose to prominence as a pop star before transitioning into politics. He finished as the runner-up in the 2021 presidential election, where Museveni, who has governed Uganda for nearly four decades, secured another term in office.

The National Unity Platform shared on social media platform X that there was an “attempt on his life” by security agents, resulting in Wine being “shot in the leg and seriously injured.”

The Ugandan police reported that officers attempted to prevent Wine and his team from marching down a road, which led to a confrontation where Wine sustained injuries. The police have announced an investigation to uncover the full details of the incident.

According to a statement on X, police officers on the scene claimed that Wine stumbled while getting into his vehicle, which caused the injury, but Wine and his team maintain that he was shot.

A video circulating widely on social media shows NUP officials helping Wine as he limped out of the Najeem Medical Centre in the Bulindo neighborhood, clearly in pain and with a bleeding wound on his left shin.

David Lewis Rubongoya, NUP’s Secretary General, condemned the incident, describing it as a “cowardly action” and “yet another attempt on [Wine’s] life.” He called on all people of conscience to denounce the ongoing violence against those who oppose Museveni’s regime.

The Ugandan government under President Museveni has faced numerous accusations from both opponents and human rights organizations for suppressing the opposition. However, Museveni consistently denies these allegations.

The incident has drawn international concern, with a U.S. State Department spokesperson stating that Washington is “concerned that violence against opposition voices means the democratic space continues to shrink in Uganda.”

Bobi Wine has garnered substantial support, particularly among Uganda’s youth, who make up a significant portion of the country’s 46 million people. Initially admired for his rise from poverty as a pop star, Wine has since captured the public’s attention with his outspoken criticism of Museveni’s government.