National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, was detained by security personnel when he arrived at Entebbe International Airport after his international travels on October 5, 2023.
Bobi Wine was removed from the plane upon his arrival and driven to an undisclosed location. NUP Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, stated, “He was taken off the plane and driven to an unknown destination. We cannot determine his whereabouts at this time.” Rubongoya made this statement to journalists at a security checkpoint on the Entebbe Kampala highway, where he had been prevented from proceeding to Entebbe Airport.
A video shared on social media showed individuals, not in uniform, apprehending Bobi Wine as he disembarked from the plane and placing him into a waiting van that quickly departed.
Hassan Kirumira, a Member of Parliament from Katikamu South, was also detained alongside Bobi Wine and taken to his home in Magere, Wakiso District. The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, visited him there.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, stated, “The President of the National Unity Platform, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, has safely returned from his overseas trip. Security agencies accompanied him to his residence in Magere, Kasangati. We extend our appreciation to the security agencies for their efforts in maintaining the safety and security of our nation.”
NUP officials reported that over 300 of their supporters had been arrested between Wednesday and Thursday morning before the party president’s return from mobilization tours in Canada and South Africa.
There is currently a significant presence of police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) around Mr. Kyagulanyi’s residence. A video shared on social media by Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbie Itungo, showed a police helicopter hovering over their roof. She expressed concern, saying, “There’s heavy deployment outside. See the police helicopter hovering over our roof. My husband has not yet arrived. He was taken upon his arrival at Entebbe. I’m here alone with the children.” One of their security guards was also arrested at the home.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, had previously warned that the planned procession to welcome Mr. Kyagulanyi was illegal and could disrupt traffic flow and lead to criminal activities. He said, “The organizers of this welcome back event are advised to stop the mobilization, and members of the public are also advised not to participate in an illegality. Security agencies will ensure that no one engages in illegal activities, and those arrested will be taken to court.”
The return of politicians at Entebbe International Airport has historically been associated with chaos. In May 2011, during the swearing-in of President Museveni, there were confrontations between supporters of Dr. Kizza Besigye and law enforcement as they welcomed him back from Nairobi, Kenya, where he had received medical treatment.
