Bobi Wine Says Soldiers Pointed Gun at Wife Barbie, Removed Blouse in Overnight Operation

Despite the events at his home, Bobi struck a defiant tone in his statement. “Yet in all this, we remain firm in our belief that Uganda will be free,” he said.

KAMPALA, Uganda — Opposition leader Bobi Wine has accused Ugandan security forces of carrying out a large-scale overnight operation at his home in Magere, saying hundreds of soldiers forced their way into the residence, assaulted occupants and subjected his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, to what he described as violent intimidation as they searched for him.

In a statement released on Saturday, Wine said the operation involved personnel he identified as members of the Special Forces Command (SFC), regular Uganda Peoples Defence Forces units and others in civilian clothing.

He alleged that many of the soldiers appeared intoxicated and arrived equipped with ladders, hammers and other tools, suggesting they intended to search the entire house.

“They broke our doors and forced themselves into our house,” Wine said, adding that walls, windows and doors were damaged as soldiers moved through the residence.

He alleged that security personnel pointed guns at his wife and demanded she disclose his whereabouts, while ransacking rooms and seizing cash, documents and electronic equipment.

According to Wine, soldiers took phones, laptops, chargers, internet and CCTV equipment and other electronic devices, and searched all parts of the house, including the ceiling.

He said Barbie Kyagulanyi’s phone was forcibly taken after she was ordered to unlock it — a demand she resisted.

Wine further alleged that his wife was assaulted and verbally abused during the operation, and that soldiers questioned her about their marriage and the family’s political stance.

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He also said security personnel beat the family’s security guard and a housemaid, and interrogated them about a supposed basement where they believed he might be hiding.

“These criminals asked where my children were,” Wine said, describing the operation as an attempt to terrorise his family into revealing his location.

Wine said his wife was later rushed to hospital, where she remains admitted, receiving treatment for what he described as both physical and psychological trauma. There was no immediate comment from military or police authorities on the allegations.

The incident comes amid heightened post-election tensions following Uganda’s disputed presidential vote and a public standoff between Wine and the security establishment.

Uganda’s army commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba has in recent days issued a series of threatening social media posts about arrests and killings linked to post-election operations, remarks that have drawn international concern.

The European Union and other international actors have urged restraint and called on Ugandan authorities to ensure the safety of opposition figures and their families, citing reports of violence and intimidation following the polls.

Despite the events at his home, Bobi struck a defiant tone in his statement. “Yet in all this, we remain firm in our belief that Uganda will be free,” he said.

Security agencies had not issued an official response to Wine’s claims by the time of publication.