“Take Yourself To Police Or I Hunt You Down” Muhoozi Tells Bobi Wine

Uganda’s political tensions have intensified sharply after the country’s army commander, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, issued a dramatic ultimatum to opposition leader Bobi Wine, ordering him to surrender to police within 48 hours or face being treated as an outlaw. The extraordinary directive has deepened fears of instability in the already volatile aftermath of last week’s disputed general elections.

In a series of combative posts on the X platform, Gen Kainerugaba accused the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader of defying state authority and warned of severe consequences if he failed to comply.

Referring to Bobi Wine using the derogatory nickname “Kabobi,” the army chief wrote: “As for Kabobi… I’m giving him exactly 48 hours to surrender himself to the Police.” He added that if the opposition figure did not present himself, security forces would “handle him accordingly,” language that immediately sparked alarm among opposition supporters and human rights observers.

The army commander later attempted to distance President Yoweri Museveni from the remarks, posting separately that he was “exonerating” the long-serving president from responsibility for his statements.

Nonetheless, the unusually direct involvement of the military’s top commander in a public confrontation with a civilian opposition leader has raised serious questions about the boundaries between Uganda’s armed forces and electoral politics.

Bobi Wine responded defiantly, accusing Gen Kainerugaba of orchestrating a violent military operation against him and threatening his life. In a sharply worded rebuttal, the opposition leader alleged that soldiers had already attempted to capture or harm him during a raid on his home.

“You ordered the military raid on my house to harm me. I beat you at your own game and escaped,” Bobi wrote, saying the army commander’s comments confirmed what he described as a “wicked plot” against him. Rejecting the ultimatum outright, he added: “I will resurface when I decide.”

Authorities have so far not explained why Gen Kainerugaba is demanding that Bobi Wine surrender to police, nor have they publicly announced any charges against the opposition leader. The silence has only added to speculation and anxiety surrounding the standoff.

The exchange follows dramatic claims by Bobi Wine that soldiers and police raided his residence in Magere overnight earlier this week. According to his account, security forces cut electricity to the property, disabled some CCTV cameras and deployed helicopters overhead in what appeared to be a coordinated military operation. He said he managed to evade capture and has since gone into hiding.

Bobi also claimed that his wife and other family members remain confined to the home under what he described as house arrest. Security agencies have not publicly responded to or addressed these allegations.

The confrontation is unfolding against the backdrop of Bobi Wine’s continued rejection of the presidential election results announced by Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama. The opposition leader has accused authorities of ballot stuffing, military interference in the voting process and the detention of opposition leaders and polling officials during and after polling day.

The government has consistently denied allegations of rigging, insisting the election was free and fair. Officials say heightened security operations across the country are necessary to prevent unrest and maintain public order.

However, tensions have been further inflamed by deadly post-election incidents, particularly in Butambala district. President Museveni said several people were shot after he claimed armed groups attempted to attack a polling station. That account has been challenged by the area’s Member of Parliament, Muwanga Kivumbi, who disputed the president’s version of events and said civilians were killed while at his residence.

As heavy security deployments continue in Kampala and other major urban centres, the unprecedented public ultimatum from the army commander — coupled with Bobi Wine’s refusal to submit — has heightened fears of further escalation.

Opposition figures and civil rights groups warn that the episode underscores growing military involvement in civilian political affairs and raises serious concerns about the rule of law, democratic space and the potential for violence in Uganda’s tense post-election period.