Medard Lubega Sseggona, a former strong figure in the National Unity Platform (NUP), has sparked debate after advising opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, to stop hiding and instead surrender to the police.
His remarks come at a time of heightened tension between Bobi Wine and state security agencies, as well as growing divisions within the opposition.
Speaking during an interview with the African Institute for Investigative Journalism, Sseggona expressed concern about Bobi Wine’s decision to go underground.
He argued that hiding does not guarantee safety, especially in a politically charged environment like Uganda’s. According to him, disappearing from public view can actually make someone more vulnerable.
Sseggona used strong language to make his point. He warned that when a person runs away, they give their enemies the advantage to hunt them down in unfamiliar and unsafe places. In his view, staying visible and confronting issues directly is often safer than hiding in secrecy.
He went on to suggest that Bobi Wine might still be emotionally affected by the outcome of the last election.
Sseggona hinted that the wounds of defeat could be influencing his decisions, including the choice to remain in undisclosed locations since mid-January 2026.
In a striking statement, Sseggona said that if he were in Bobi Wine’s position, he would personally go to the police and “close that chapter.” This comment was widely interpreted as a call for boldness and finality, urging the opposition leader to end the standoff once and for all.
Bobi Wine has been in hiding since January 16, 2026. He claims that he narrowly escaped a security raid at his home and has since been communicating with the public from secret locations. His absence from his home in Magere has raised questions and fears among his supporters.
Despite these fears, police authorities have consistently stated that Bobi Wine is not wanted for any crime. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke reiterated that position on February 9, 2026, stressing that there are no charges against the opposition leader.
However, Rusoke also confirmed that security forces remain deployed at Bobi Wine’s Magere residence. He explained that the presence of security is due to “national security” concerns, although he did not clarify what those concerns are or when the deployment will end.
This unclear situation has fueled suspicion and anxiety. Supporters of Bobi Wine see the continued security presence as intimidation, while government officials maintain that it is a preventive measure meant to maintain order.
Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi has also weighed in on the matter. He insisted that Bobi Wine has committed no crime and is free to return home whenever he chooses. According to the minister, there is no legal reason stopping him from resuming normal life.
Sseggona’s comments cannot be separated from his troubled relationship with NUP. Once a key figure in the party, he has gradually fallen out with its leadership, especially over internal disagreements and decision-making.
The tension became more visible during the controversial Mathias Mpuuga saga. Sseggona openly criticized how the party leadership handled the issue, arguing that it exposed deeper problems within NUP’s top ranks.
By mid-2025, the relationship between Sseggona and the NUP leadership had deteriorated badly. Internal rivals began positioning themselves to push him out, signaling that his days in the party were numbered.
Later in 2025, NUP denied Sseggona the party flag. This decision forced him to contest as an independent candidate in the most recent election, where he was unsuccessful. For many observers, this marked the final break between him and the party he once strongly represented.
Because of this history, some NUP supporters have dismissed Sseggona’s advice to Bobi Wine as bitter or politically motivated. They argue that his criticism is influenced by his fallout with the party rather than genuine concern.
Others, however, believe that Sseggona is speaking from experience. As a seasoned lawyer and politician, they say he understands the risks of prolonged confrontation with the state and is offering advice based on realism, not emotions.
The situation surrounding Bobi Wine highlights the wider struggle of opposition politics in Uganda. It shows the difficult balance between resistance, safety, and strategy in a political environment where mistrust runs deep.
Going underground may energize supporters in the short term, but it also creates uncertainty and fear. It leaves room for rumors, misinformation, and possible danger, exactly what Sseggona warned against.
At the same time, surrendering or reporting to the police requires trust in state institutions, something many opposition figures and supporters feel is lacking. This makes the decision even more complicated.
As the standoff continues, Ugandans are left watching closely. Whether Bobi Wine chooses to remain in hiding or heed Sseggona’s advice, the outcome will likely shape the next chapter of opposition politics and the broader political climate in the country.
