‘Catch Me If You Can’: Bobi Wine responds to Gen Muhoozi’s social media remarks
The social media exchanges have heightened political tensions and drawn widespread public attention, with civil society groups and opposition figures calling for restraint and respect for constitutional rights amid the ongoing political standoff.
National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has publicly responded to remarks by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who claimed that the military was hunting the opposition leader.
The exchange followed a series of late-night posts on X, formerly Twitter, in which Gen Muhoozi described Bobi Wine as being “wanted dead or alive,” statements that triggered public outrage and renewed debate about the safety of opposition figures in Uganda.
In a post shared on Friday morning, Bobi Wine, who has said he is in hiding, dared Gen Muhoozi to apprehend him.
“A rebel without a gun, hiding in plain sight and yet you can’t find me because I’m concealed by the people,” Bobi Wine wrote, attaching a screenshot of an earlier post by Gen Muhoozi in which the army chief referred to him as the first “selfie and YouTube rebel.”
Gen Muhoozi’s remarks sparked strong reactions online, with critics questioning their implications for human rights, the rule of law, and the treatment of political opponents. Government and police officials have previously denied claims that the state was pursuing or targeting Bobi Wine, making the comments appear to contradict earlier official assurances.
Bobi Wine was President Yoweri Museveni’s main challenger in the January 15, 2026 presidential election. The Electoral Commission declared Museveni the winner with 72 per cent of the vote against Bobi Wine’s 24 per cent. Bobi Wine and his National Unity Platform rejected the results, alleging widespread irregularities.
In another post on Friday, Gen Muhoozi addressed reports that Bobi Wine’s wife, Ms Barbie Kyagulanyi, had been briefly detained during a security operation at their residence in Magere. He said any soldier who mistreated her would face severe punishment.
“If any soldier even attempted to touch Barbie, he will be punished very severely,” Gen Muhoozi wrote. “All our troops are briefed on how to handle women. Give us the details.”
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has repeatedly stated that its personnel operate under a strict code of conduct and that any violations are subject to disciplinary action.
The social media exchanges have heightened political tensions and drawn widespread public attention, with civil society groups and opposition figures calling for restraint and respect for constitutional rights amid the ongoing political standoff.
