Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and President Yoweri Museveni’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has sparked fresh outrage after posting a photo of Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, taken during a reported military raid on the opposition leader’s home.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Muhoozi claimed that Ugandan soldiers had briefly detained and later released Barbie while searching for Bobi Wine, who has gone into hiding following Uganda’s disputed elections.
“This is when our soldiers captured and then released Kabobi’s wife Barbie. She was very helpful in helping us find her husband,” Muhoozi wrote, accompanying the post with a photo showing Barbie seated on the floor.
The post has quickly drawn condemnation from a section of the online community, who accused the army chief of intimidation, humiliation, and using the family of a political opponent as leverage amid heightened post-election tensions.
Muhoozi Offers Reassurance Amid Backlash
In a separate tweet, Muhoozi insisted that Barbie was not harmed and warning against any misconduct by soldiers.
“If any soldier even attempted to touch Barbie, he will be punished very severely! All our troops are briefed on how to handle women. Give us the details,” he wrote.
Despite the reassurance, critics argue that the publication of the image itself, by the country’s top military officer, raises serious concerns.
Context of Escalating Tensions
The incident comes amid an escalating crackdown following Uganda’s contested elections, which President Museveni was declared to have won. Bobi Wine has rejected the results, alleging fraud, voter suppression, and military interference.
In recent days, Muhoozi has issued a series of inflammatory posts threatening Bobi Wine and supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), branding them “terrorists” and suggesting the opposition leader should surrender or face force.
Bobi Wine has accused the military of attempting to arrest or assassinate him, saying his home was raided in his absence a he remains in hiding.
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