Uganda: Nup Puts Bobi Wine's Safety First As Party Marks His 44th Birthday

The National Unity Platform (NUP) marked the 44th birthday of its president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, with a low-key ceremony at the party headquarters in Kavule, as leaders reiterated that his safety remains their top priority.

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi defended the party's decision to keep Kyagulanyi's whereabouts undisclosed, saying the move was necessary amid what he described as a hostile political environment.

"We are prioritizing his safety first," Ssenyonyi said, responding to calls from government officials and some opposition politicians urging Kyagulanyi to publicly reappear.

Kyagulanyi, a former presidential candidate and pop star-turned-politician also known as Bobi Wine, has been at the centre of political tensions in recent years, with his party frequently clashing with security agencies over rallies, arrests and public order management.

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During the birthday event, Ssenyonyi questioned what he termed selective enforcement of the law against opposition supporters.

"Why are our supporters being arrested for wearing red berets and ovalos, while NRM supporters are free?" he asked.

The red beret has become a symbol closely associated with NUP and Kyagulanyi's political movement, while the oval shape is part of the party's branding. In previous years, security agencies have maintained that certain items of attire resembling military gear are restricted under the law, a position NUP leaders have consistently disputed.

Ssenyonyi also criticised opposition politicians who have publicly asked Kyagulanyi to emerge from hiding, suggesting they should take the lead if they believe it is safe to do so.

"They should lead the way; they've been in politics longer than him. If they want him to emerge, they should set an example," he said.

The event at Kavule was subdued compared to previous public celebrations of Kyagulanyi's birthday, reflecting what party officials described as the prevailing political climate. Speakers repeatedly referenced the continued detention of some opposition supporters and what they called unequal application of justice.

Ssenyonyi said the party remains concerned about supporters who are still facing charges or are in custody, arguing that their treatment illustrates broader governance issues.

While government officials have previously denied targeting opposition members and have maintained that arrests are based on violations of the law rather than political affiliation, NUP leaders insist that enforcement has disproportionately affected their supporters.

The birthday commemoration therefore doubled as a political statement, with party leaders framing Kyagulanyi's safety as inseparable from the broader security of opposition members across the country.

As NUP navigates ongoing political tensions, Ssenyonyi said the party's immediate focus is to ensure the well-being of its president and supporters while continuing to push for what it describes as democratic reforms and equal treatment under the law.