National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has spoken out strongly following the withdrawal of two NUP flag bearers in Rwampara District—Jean Muyambi and Sarah Kiconco—who have since crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
In a detailed statement shared on his socials , Bobi Wine accused the Museveni government of using intimidation, arrests and coercion to force opposition candidates out of the race.
According to Bobi Wine, the two women were violently arrested in Mbarara on November 7 and later remanded to prison alongside 36 other NUP supporters. They were charged with obstructing a police officer, a case he described as politically motivated.
He claims that while in detention, the two candidates were allegedly approached by state operatives and told that their release from prison depended on withdrawing from the elections and publicly denouncing him and NUP.
Bobi Wine says Jean Muyambi, the NUP candidate for Rwampara East, was secretly removed from prison without the knowledge of the party’s legal team and later appeared at a President Museveni campaign rally.Sarah Kiconco, the NUP flag bearer for Rwampara Woman MP, reportedly resisted pressure and chose to remain in prison. However, after repeated failed attempts to secure bail, Bobi Wine alleges that she eventually gave in and was also quietly taken out of prison two days ago.
He further accused Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa of personally leading efforts to persuade opposition candidates to abandon their campaigns in exchange for money.
Meanwhile, Bobi Wine says 36 other detainees, including two more NUP candidates who have refused to withdraw, remain in prison.
Describing the situation as a sign of deep national decay, Bobi Wine alleged that the judiciary has become complicit in what he called state-sponsored political persecution.