Uganda Police have defended the continued deployment of security operatives at the Magere residence of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, insisting the move is justified on national security grounds.
Addressing the media on Monday, Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that Bobi Wine’s home has been under security occupation since January 15, 2026, despite the National Unity Platform (NUP) president facing no formal charges.
According to Kituuma, the decision to maintain an indefinite security presence was taken by top security agencies, arguing that it is necessary to “prevent threats that could destabilise the country.” However, police stopped short of explaining why the opposition leader has not been charged or presented before court.
The latest development follows a military-style raid on the Magere home earlier in January, during which Bobi Wine was briefly detained and airlifted by helicopter to an undisclosed location before later being released. The operation heightened political tensions as Uganda edges closer to the 2026 presidential election, where Bobi Wine is expected to challenge long-serving President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The heavy security presence has sparked outrage, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where Ugandans have questioned the logic of surrounding a private residence without arrest or prosecution. Critics argue that the police justification exposes contradictions within state institutions and raises serious concerns about civil liberties, political freedom and the rule of law.
Political observers say the Magere siege fits a familiar pattern in Uganda’s politics, where opposition figures are frequently placed under surveillance or restriction during election periods, a trend rights groups warn could undermine democratic processes.
As pressure mounts, calls are growing for security agencies to either formally charge Bobi Wine or lift the siege, with many warning that prolonged silence only fuels public suspicion and political tension ahead of 2026.