National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has accused elements within Uganda’s security forces of plotting fake bomb threats and acts of terrorism to justify state violence against opposition supporters.
Addressing a presser on Wednesday at the Party’s Kavule office, Bobi Wine took a swipe at disturbing media reports that now implicate senior army commanders in fabricating security threats, claims he says validate longstanding warnings from the opposition that the regime manufactures crises to crackdown on dissent.
“For years, we have warned that the regime fabricates or exaggerates such incidents to justify its violent repression of opposition supporters. Many of our comrades are languishing in Kitalya and Luzira on trumped-up charges of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms. Their only ‘crime’ was daring to stand on the side of truth and justice.” he said
Last week, the arrest of two senior Defence Intelligence Directorate (DIS) officers suspected of planning fake bomb threats in Kampala to gain personal accolades and promotions circulated the media with official daily newspaper reporting it .
The duo were detained at the Mbuya military intelligence offices.
Not long after, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba established a seven-member inquiry board led by his deputy, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding. The panel, involving senior officials from UPDF, police, and security agencies, is reviewing communication logs, financial records, and intelligence reports linked to recent bomb alerts.
At least two bomb incidents in early June in Munyonyo and Kalerwe had initially been attributed to thwarted terror attacks. However, internal intelligence flagged inconsistencies in the military’s version, prompting doubts about whether those incidents were genuine or staged.
The UPDF Defence Public Information Chief Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye confirmed the arrests but didn’t commit to the allegations of their arrest.
Still speaking on Wednesday , Bobi Wine further condemned what he described as the continued exploitation of Uganda’s urban youth, especially in Kampala ghettos, who are allegedly used by the state for political stunts and propaganda.
“These young men and women are given yellow T-shirts and Ush 10,000 to escort dictator Museveni for his NRM nomination. And then they are dumped in jail, scapegoated for the violence and theft that followed. Videos on social media have exposed these crimes. It’s a clear pattern to use them and discard them.” he claimed.
Bobi Wine claims NRM youth were exploited to rob from locals
Bobi also responded to what he termed as “troubling” internal reports of manipulation in NUP’s ongoing vetting and harmonization exercise. He said an independent inquiry led by Deputy President H.E. Jolly Tukamushaba had been launched to investigate allegations of interference and manipulation within the party’s Elections Management Committee.
“We do not take these allegations lightly. That is why we have instituted an independent inquiry. We call upon any citizen or Party member with information to come forward.” he said.
The 2004 constitution formed the bedrock of NUP’s operations until 2020 rebranding. The founders say that amended rules undermine fairness and legality, while party leadership insists changes were lawful and needed. The ongoing court case will be pivotal not just legally but politically especially with national elections fast approaching.
