KAMPALA, Uganda — The whereabouts of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi remained unknown Tuesday, five days after he reportedly fled his home, as the head of Uganda’s military issued a 48-hour ultimatum for his surrender.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the chief of defense forces, posted the order on X, formerly Twitter, demanding Kyagulanyi report to the Uganda Police Force. Kainerugaba warned that if the opposition leader, popularly known as Bobi Wine, does not surrender, the military will treat him as an outlaw.
Kyagulanyi, the runner-up in last Thursday’s presidential election, announced Saturday he had gone into hiding following what he described as a military raid on his residence in Magere. Although he has since granted interviews to local and international media, he has not disclosed his location.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said Kyagulanyi is not under arrest and is a free man, despite a heavy security presence that has restricted access to his home. Kituuma described the property as a site of interest, suggesting the deployment was necessary to prevent supporters from instigating unrest after the election.
The Electoral Commission declared President Yoweri Museveni, 81, the winner of the 2026 polls with 71.65 percent of the vote. Kyagulanyi, 43, followed with 24.72 percent. Kyagulanyi’s National Unity Platform has rejected the results as fraudulent.
Kyagulanyi posted to social media Monday, claiming military personnel at his home have harassed his family and blocked food deliveries. His wife, Barbara Itungo, said security forces temporarily withdrew during a visit by religious leaders Monday but returned shortly after the delegation left.
We are not safe here, Itungo said, alleging that soldiers have been banging on the doors of the house and shouting insults.
The National Unity Platform also reported that several party officials, including deputy presidents for the northern and western regions, are missing following alleged military abductions. Kituuma said police are currently compiling a list of individuals arrested or killed during the election period and will provide details once investigations are complete.
The current standoff mirrors previous election cycles. In 2021, Kyagulanyi was placed under house arrest for more than 10 days, while opposition figure Kizza Besigye was confined for three months following the 2016 polls.
