Uganda’s Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, has condemned reports that security operatives allegedly tortured and assaulted Barbra Kyagulanyi, the wife of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Speaking to the media, Baryomunsi described the reported raid on Kyagulanyi’s home as “unjustified” and said any security officers who breached protocol would face internal disciplinary measures.
“I have condemned what she described, if at all it happened, because it is unjustified. Being the wife of one of the Kyagulanyi family is not a crime,” Baryomunsi said. He, however, suggested that some of the reports from Barbra, commonly referred to as Barbie, may have been exaggerated for political effect.
Barbra Kyagulanyi alleges assault by security operatives
Barbra Kyagulanyi has accused unidentified security operatives of storming their residence on the night of Friday, 23 January 2026, under the cover of darkness, assaulting occupants, and ransacking the house before fleeing. The allegations have drawn widespread concern among human rights observers and political leaders, who argue that such incidents undermine confidence in the country’s security agencies and the democratic process.
This is not the first-time opposition leaders in Uganda have faced harsh treatment. Dr Kizza Besigye, a veteran opposition figure, has previously been abducted and detained on charges of treason, including during his time in Kenya. Baryomunsi said of Besigye’s case, “Nobody wishes Dr Besigye harm, but procedures are followed for security reasons,” emphasising Uganda’s long history of politically sensitive arrests.
The minister’s comments come amid heightened tensions following President Yoweri Museveni’s announcement that he had won a seventh term in office in elections held on January 15, 2026, last Thursday. The vote, which secured Museveni another five-year term, was widely criticised by international observers and rights groups for alleged intimidation and violence.
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Opposition leader Bobi Wine, 43, has accused government forces of brutally repressing his supporters. The army chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, publicly boasted on social media, X (formerly Twitter), about killing 22 opposition supporters, a post he later deleted.
In a separate post, Muhoozi stated: “My soldiers did not beat up Barbie… Kabobi’s wife. First of all, we do not beat up women. They are not worth our time. We are looking for her cowardly husband, not her.”
He further declared that Kyagulanyi was banned from any political activity in Uganda: “Whether Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu is in the country or not, I, as CDF, in the interests of national security and for the good of the commonwealth, ban him from any further participation in the electoral exercises of Uganda.”
Since the election, Ugandan authorities have reportedly arrested dozens of youths on various charges linked to election-related incidents, particularly in Kampala. Uganda has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of presidential power since independence in 1962. Museveni, who first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986, will have served 45 years by the end of his next term in 2031.
Minister Baryomunsi stressed that while the government must maintain security, allegations of assault should not go unchecked. He further denied reports that Bobi Wine is wanted by the state. “Kyagulanyi is not a wanted man. He is as free as a bird in the air,” he said, urging calm and adherence to the law.
Opposition leaders have repeatedly called for dialogue and reconciliation in the wake of the election. Hon. Odonga-Otto, a former legislator, and Kiira MP Ssemujju Nganda cited reports of intimidation, arrests, and alleged killings of opposition supporters as reasons for national dialogue. “We must talk to each other. If this is not addressed, tensions could escalate in Kampala and beyond,” Odonga-Otto warned.
Ssemujju condemned post-election violence and urged a national healing process. He criticised the brutalisation of opposition supporters, including Bobi Wine’s family, and denounced Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s posts celebrating 22 “terrorist” deaths.
Benjamin Katana, the National Treasurer of the National Unity Platform (NUP), condemned the growing harassment of opposition members, emphasising the raid on Barbie Kyagulanyi. He said many party officials are either detained, in hiding, or living under constant fear of arrest.
“Some of our leaders are on the run, others are in jail, and every day people fear being picked next,” he said, citing the detention of the Ankole coordinator and the Western Region president. Katana added, “The politics of our country must be restructured to allow fair, constitutional elections without fear, harassment, or loss of life.”
Despite political tensions, Baryomunsi maintained that the government was acting within its mandate to ensure public safety. He urged opposition supporters to avoid panic and to focus on lawful engagement, stressing that Uganda’s security forces operate under strict rules.
Human rights groups continue to monitor the situation closely, noting that the treatment of opposition figures and their families is increasingly under scrutiny. The allegations against security forces and public statements by high-ranking officials have intensified calls for accountability and an independent investigation.
