Karua condemns harassment of Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine and his family
By Faith Lagat, January 24, 2026Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua has strongly denounced the reported harassment of Ugandan opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and his family, describing the actions as unacceptable amid escalating political tensions in Uganda.
In an X post on January 24, 2026, Karua stated, “Harassment of @HEBobiwine & his family unacceptable.”
She tagged regional and international bodies and leaders, including the East African Community (@jumuiya), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Namibian SWAPO President, Malawian Peter Mutharika, Botswanan Duma Boko, the African Union Commission on Political Affairs (@AUC_PAPS), the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (@achpr_cadhp), the UN Human Rights office (@UNHumanRights), the United Nations (@UN), and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Bobi Wine reports violent intrusion at home
The condemnation follows Bobi Wine’s account on January 23, 2026, in which he reported a violent intrusion at his residence: “A group of masked, 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!” Reports indicate that security forces surrounded the Magere residence, restricted movement, and blocked essential supplies including food.
This episode follows earlier criticism from the Uganda Law Society (ULS), which on January 20, 2026, condemned what it described as unlawful house arrest.
“The Uganda Law Society unreservedly condemns the Government for the unprovoked invasion and barricading of the Magere home of Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, subjecting his family and other occupants to house arrest and unlawful restrictions,” the society said.
Calls for law and accountability
The ULS emphasised that these actions violated a High Court ruling (Miscellaneous Cause No. 16 of 2021) and breached Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, which guarantees personal liberty, freedom of movement, and the right to an adequate standard of living.
It added: “Any actions that deny these rights without lawful basis are a direct violation of fundamental freedoms and amount to degrading and inhuman treatment.”
The society also raised concerns over inflammatory statements by Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who claimed security forces had killed 22 NUP supporters and suggested Bobi Wine could be next. ULS warned such remarks foster “a climate of intimidation, restricted civic space, and gross human rights abuses.”