Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Injured During Police Clash, Claims His Party

Bobi Wine, Uganda’s prominent opposition figure, has sustained serious injuries following a confrontation with the police, according to the National Unity Platform (NUP), the political party he leads. The NUP reported on social media that Wine was shot in the leg during the incident, which took place near the capital, Kampala. The police, however, disputed this account, stating that Wine’s injury occurred when he stumbled while entering a vehicle.

Wine, whose birth name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has been a significant opposition voice in Uganda. He was the primary contender in the presidential elections of January 2021 but lost to President Yoweri Museveni. Museveni declared victory for a sixth term despite widespread accusations of electoral fraud and voter intimidation.

On social media platform ‘X,’ the NUP detailed that Wine was in Bulindo to meet with a lawyer when police and military forces encircled their vehicles. According to their statement, security forces began firing live bullets, teargas, and other projectiles at them.

The NUP accused the authorities of targeting Wine directly, stating that he was shot in the leg during the clash. They described the incident as an attempt on his life. Photos shared on Wine’s own ‘X’ account depict him with a significant leg injury and receiving medical attention in a hospital. The accompanying message indicated that he is undergoing treatment following the shooting.

In contrast, local police officials claimed their intervention was a response to Wine’s group blocking a road without authorization. Despite prior warnings not to stage a roadblock, Wine allegedly proceeded, leading to police action to disperse the gathering.

The police statement suggested that Wine sustained his injuries when he stumbled while entering his vehicle, contradicting the NUP’s assertion that he was shot. The police have initiated an investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Bobi Wine has experienced numerous encounters with Ugandan security forces over the years, particularly in the context of politically charged situations. In a 2021 interview ,he expressed concerns for his safety, highlighting the persistent risks he faces due to his political activities.

As the situation unfolds, the conflicting accounts from Wine’s party and the police underscore the volatile nature of Uganda’s political landscape. The investigation into the incident is likely to be closely watched both within Uganda and by international observers concerned with the state of democracy and human rights in the country.