KAMPALA — Robert Kyagulanyi, the president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has said he will not negotiate with the Ugandan government for his freedom, insisting that it is a constitutional right.
Speaking in an interview with France 24 while in the United States, Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, said freedom is guaranteed under the law and should not be subject to negotiation.
“We believe in constructive and principled engagement, and I am not going to negotiate my freedom because it must be guaranteed under the law. The law is the law and it should never be debated or negotiated,” he said.
He, however, noted that NUP remains open to dialogue with the government, provided such engagements are not transactional. He added that, to his knowledge, no formal talks have taken place so far.
His remarks come against the backdrop of the disputed January 15, 2026 presidential elections, in which the Electoral Commission of Uganda declared incumbent Yoweri Museveni the winner, extending his decades-long rule.
Kyagulanyi rejected the results, alleging widespread electoral malpractice, voter intimidation, and irregularities during the voting and tallying process. NUP maintains that the election outcome did not reflect the will of the people, describing it as a “stolen victory,” while the government has consistently defended the credibility of the polls.
The elections were held amid heightened political tensions, a heavy security deployment, and restrictions on opposition activities. Several opposition leaders and supporters reported arrests, detentions, and disruptions during and after the electoral period.
In the aftermath of the vote, Kyagulanyi’s residence in Magere was surrounded by security forces for more than two months, effectively restricting his movement. Security agencies maintained the deployment was necessary to preserve public order, while NUP described it as unlawful detention.
Kyagulanyi later left the country for the United States, where he said he would engage the international community on the political situation in Uganda and push for accountability over the election outcome.
Recent media reports had suggested that his team, alongside the United States ambassador, was engaged in talks with the government regarding his safe return and the formal recognition of NUP. However, Kyagulanyi dismissed the claims, insisting no such negotiations have taken place.
When asked whether he was ready to return to Uganda despite security concerns, including remarks attributed to Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Kyagulanyi said his intention remains to return home, but under conditions that guarantee his rights.
“I intend to go back to my country. My fight is in Uganda, my work is in Uganda, and my citizenship is in my country. However, I am supposed to be in Uganda as a free citizen and not as a person who must beg for my freedom,” he said.
Meanwhile, security forces on Tuesday withdrew from Kyagulanyi’s Magere home, ending a prolonged deployment that had become a symbol of the post-election standoff between the opposition and the state.
The developments highlight the continued political uncertainty following the 2026 elections, with calls for dialogue, accountability, and electoral reforms remaining central to Uganda’s political discourse.
