Senior Presidential Advisor and retired UPDF General Proscovia Nalweyiso has dismissed claims by National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, that he fled Uganda, insisting that government authorities were never actively pursuing him.
Speaking during BBS Terefayina’s “Amaaso Ku Ggwanga” program, Nalweyiso said state security agencies had no intention of arresting or targeting the opposition leader at the time of his departure.
“If Kyagulanyi says he fled the country, he is lying because we could have arrested him if we had wanted to. I believe he simply travelled to take a holiday, and he is free to return whenever he feels like,” Nalweyiso said.
Her remarks come amid ongoing political debate surrounding Bobi Wine’s recent absence from the country, with supporters and opposition figures offering differing accounts of the circumstances behind his travel.
Why Bobi Wine Left Uganda
Bobi Wine and officials within the National Unity Platform (NUP) have previously argued that his decision to leave Uganda was driven by heightened security concerns, including fears of surveillance, arrests, and restrictions on his political activities.
Party insiders have maintained that the opposition leader opted to travel abroad temporarily to address personal safety concerns and to engage with international partners on Uganda’s political situation.
His camp has also consistently pointed to previous incidents involving arrests, violent confrontations, and alleged harassment of opposition figures as part of the broader context influencing his movements.
Return Plans Remain Open
Despite the political tension surrounding his departure, sources close to NUP indicate that Bobi Wine is expected to return to Uganda once he completes a series of international engagements and consultations with diaspora supporters and political allies.
Party officials maintain that his return will depend on “favourable conditions” and continued consultations on how to navigate Uganda’s current political climate.
Nalweyiso, however, insisted that his return remains unrestricted, saying he is “free to come back at any time” without interference.
