On Tuesday evening, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, was admitted to Nsambya Hospital following an injury sustained during an altercation with security officers in Bulindo Town, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
The incident has sparked a heated dispute between the Uganda Police and the National Unity Platform (NUP) over the circumstances surrounding Bobi Wine’s injury.
According to the police spokesperson, Kituuma Rusoke, the confrontation began when Bobi Wine initiated a procession in Bulindo Town despite police advising against it due to security concerns. Rusoke stated that the procession led to road closures, prompting police intervention to prevent further escalation.
The police narrative suggests that Bobi Wine’s injury occurred when he stumbled while getting into his vehicle. Rusoke dismissed allegations of a shooting, attributing the injury to an accident rather than violence from the security forces.
In contrast, the National Unity Platform has condemned the police’s version of events. A statement from Bobi Wine’s team on X (formerly Twitter) described the incident as a targeted attack. According to the NUP, security forces surrounded their vehicles and fired live bullets, teargas canisters, and other projectiles, leading to Bobi Wine being shot in the leg.
The conflicting accounts have fueled tensions and concerns over the safety of opposition figures in Uganda. As investigations into the incident continue, both sides remain at odds over the true nature of the altercation.
Bobi Wine’s condition is being closely monitored as the political landscape in Uganda faces heightened scrutiny amid these developments.