Armed Soldiers Reportedly Raid Bobi Wine’s Residence, Isolating Wife Barbie Itungo Amid Heightened Tensions

Fresh alarm has been raised over the safety of National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine)’s family following reports of a nighttime raid by armed soldiers on his Magere residence in Wakiso District, Uganda.

A video circulating widely on social media, shared by family members on January 23, 2026, captures a visibly distressed Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, Bobi Wine’s wife, questioning the intruders’ presence and actions inside the compound. The footage shows heavily armed uniformed soldiers approaching the front door under cover of darkness, sparking immediate panic among occupants.

Bobi Wine, who has been in hiding since the contested January 15 elections, posted an urgent statement online:

“A group of armed soldiers has just broken into our house and beat up my family members. They have currently isolated my wife Barbie Kyagulanyi alone. Their intentions are unclear.”

His son, Solomon Kampala, corroborated the incident by sharing the video with the caption: “Military men are currently in our compound at home,” confirming the ongoing military presence and heightening fears for the family’s well-being.

According to NUP sources, Barbie Itungo has been confined to the house with some children and relatives since January 16, following Bobi Wine’s decision to go underground amid post-election unrest and threats. Reports indicate soldiers have maintained a heavy siege on the property, allegedly using ladders to scale the perimeter fence for unauthorized access on multiple occasions.

The raid comes shortly after Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly warned Bobi Wine to surrender to police authorities, a statement that has intensified concerns of targeted intimidation and potential reprisals against his family.

Human rights observers and opposition supporters have condemned the actions as a violation of privacy and safety, calling for immediate de-escalation and independent monitoring. As of January 24, 2026, no official statement has been issued by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) or police regarding the incident.

The situation underscores the volatile post-election environment in Uganda, where opposition figures continue to report harassment following President Museveni’s declared victory.

This is a developing story, with updates expected as more details emerge from family or official sources.