Barbie Narrates Hardships of House Arrest

Barbie Itungo, the wife of National Unity Platform President Robert Kyagulanyi, has complained about continued security restrictions blocking access to their home, leading to food shortages. She has also complained to the top religious of the country over threats by a senior military officer to cut off her husband’s private organs.

On Tuesday, Inter-Religious Council of Uganda -IRCU leaders led by the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, Most Reverend Samuel Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, visited Kyagulanyi’s home in Magere, Kasangati, Wakiso District, to pray with the family and congratulate them on the concluded election.

The convoy of religious leaders and journalists was stopped at a nearby roadblock by police officers, but they were allowed to proceed after a brief delay. This was a change from previous days, when at least three roadblocks had been set up on the road to Kyagulanyi’s home that would not allow any one cross.

The clergymen were welcomed by Barbie and other family members, who held a prayer for the family. They then heard Barbie describe the difficulties of being under house arrest and having access to the home restricted.

She said military and police are deployed outside and inside the compound, with a ladder being used to climb. Some of their jackets and helmets were seen abandoned in the compound. She said they had vacated immediately after being told that religious leaders were on the way to the house of Kyagulanyi.

“No one comes here, my friends, my relatives, even my mother from the village was denied access. They don’t allow us to go out and buy anything,” Itungo said.

She explained that apart from restricting access to the house, security drones constantly fly overhead, day and night, making it hard for them to sleep. Itungo added that accessing food has become a challenge as well.

“This is why we haven’t offered you food or water. It’s like we’re fasting. My phone only works when they allow it; they often disrupt the network, so I hardly communicate with anyone,” Itungo stated. “My husband hasn’t been around since Friday, the 16th. He escaped when he realized he would be arrested or put under house arrest without being able to contact anyone, but we agreed that he goes with some of the children and I stay behind with other family members.”

Kazimba sympathized with the family, saying the restrictions aren’t good. He explained that the Inter-Religious Council’s visit was part of their program to visit presidential candidates’ homes, pray with them, and hear their concerns to continue sharing them with policymakers for change to a better Uganda. Before the visit the Inter-Religious Council had issued a post-election statement calling for accountability for irregularities that were witnessed during the concluded 2026 Presidential and Parliamentary Election.

Itungo told the religious leaders about threats made by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces, against her husband Kyagulanyi.

“He spent last night vowing to cut off my husband’s testicles. Muhoozi has his own testicles, I don’t know why he would want my husband’s. I don’t know what the inter Religious Council can do to bring the situation to harmony,” she said, adding it’s not the first time Gen Muhoozi has threatened to harm her husband.

Kyagulanyi came second in the 2026 General Election, losing to President Museveni who got 7,946,772 votes (71.65%), while Kyagulanyi got 2,743,190 votes (24.72%). He has however, rejected the election results, citing violence against his supporters and irregularities.

He also said he won’t challenge the results in court, saying he doesn’t trust Uganda’s judicial system