Bobi Wine Urges International Sanctions on Museveni and Gen Muhoozi Over Rights Abuses

From hiding, opposition leader Bobi Wine has called for targeted sanctions against President Museveni, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and senior security & judicial figures, citing enforced disappearances, killings and blocked justice following the disputed 2026 elections.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) has appealed to the international community to impose targeted sanctions on President Yoweri Museveni, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and several high-ranking police and judicial officers.

Addressing delegates at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on February 18, the former presidential candidate accused the named individuals of overseeing a pattern of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and systematic obstruction of justice.

“The international community has abandoned us,” Kyagulanyi told the gathering. “We are only asking for targeted sanctions against Gen Museveni, his son Gen Muhoozi, and the top police and judicial officers who have paralysed the justice system.”

He also pressed development partners to reassess budget support and other financial flows to the government, arguing that continued funding enables impunity. Kyagulanyi drew parallels between the 2021 and 2026 electoral cycles, claiming both were marred by widespread irregularities, violence and suppression of opposition activity.

In a sharp rebuttal, State House described the call for sanctions as “irresponsible and counterproductive.” Presidential Press Secretary Sandor Walusimbi questioned the opposition leader’s patriotism and insisted Uganda remains stable, peaceful and fully functional following what he called a successful electoral process.

Kyagulanyi reiterated that he is currently in hiding due to credible threats to his life. He alleged that shortly after polling closed on January 15, Gen Muhoozi issued instructions for security forces to apprehend him “dead or alive.” He further claimed that operatives raided his Magere residence, assaulted family members, and compelled his wife and children to flee the country.

The opposition leader also highlighted the detention and prosecution of several NUP regional coordinators: Lina Zedriga and Jolly Jackline Tukamushaba face incitement charges in Gulu and Mbarara, while Buganda coordinator Muwanga Kivumbi is defending a treason case linked to a fatal incident in Butambala.

Bobi Wine dismissed the official election results and insisted the 2026 vote replicated the flaws and violence seen in 2021. He maintained that previous international appeals have produced little meaningful change.