Uganda’s security leadership has finally broken its silence regarding the continued deployment of police officers at the residence of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu in Magere.
The matter recently became a subject of heated debate during a parliamentary meeting where legislators questioned the reasons behind the prolonged presence of security officers at the home of the National Unity Platform leader.
The issue was raised during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, which had summoned officials from the Uganda Police Force to respond to concerns highlighted in the 2024/2025 Auditor General’s report.
During the session, members of parliament demanded clarity on several security-related matters, including the continued police deployment at Bobi Wine’s home.
The discussion quickly turned intense when Gorreth Namugga, who serves as the Vice Chairperson of the committee, directly questioned the police leadership about their activities at the Magere residence.
Namugga said residents and business owners around the area had repeatedly complained that the heavy police presence was affecting their daily activities.
According to Namugga, people living and operating businesses around the area were concerned that the continued deployment of security personnel was creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.
She explained that some residents feared approaching the area because of the visible presence of police officers and security vehicles.
The legislator therefore demanded clear answers from the police leadership about how long the officers had been stationed at the property and what exactly they were doing there.
She also wanted to know whether the police had any specific timeline indicating when they planned to withdraw their personnel from the residence.
Namugga further challenged the police to explain the current status of the property, questioning whether the owner was even present at the home. In a rather sarcastic remark, she asked police officers to explain the “feel of the home,” suggesting that the homeowner might be away enjoying himself elsewhere while security officers remained stationed at the property.
In response to the tough questions, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, James Ochaya, defended the deployment and explained that the officers were stationed at the residence purely for security purposes. According to Ochaya, the police presence was necessary to safeguard the property while Bobi Wine is reportedly away.
Ochaya told the committee that security agencies had information suggesting that if the home was left without protection, it could become vulnerable to acts of vandalism or destruction by unknown individuals. Because of this risk, he said the police decided to maintain a presence there to ensure that the property remains safe.
“Our presence is to provide security because all of you know that he is not there,” Ochaya told the committee members. He explained that without police protection, people might attempt to break into the property, damage structures, or steal valuable items from the residence.
According to the deputy police chief, the main objective of the deployment was therefore to maintain order and protect the home until the owner returns. He emphasized that the police were not stationed there to harass anyone but to ensure that no criminal activities occur at the property.
However, the explanation did not fully satisfy some members of the committee. Namugga quickly raised another issue, reminding police about a previous incident where unknown individuals reportedly raided the same residence during the night.
She pointed out that during that incident, Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, was allegedly assaulted by the attackers. Namugga questioned how such a serious incident could have happened if police officers were responsible for protecting the property.
The legislator demanded to know exactly where the police officers were at the time of the incident and why they failed to stop the attackers from entering the home. She also asked the police leadership to provide details about the people who carried out the raid.
Namugga insisted that the public deserves to know who was responsible for the attack and what steps the police have taken to ensure that justice is served. She argued that leaving such incidents unresolved only increases public distrust in security agencies.
Responding to the concerns, Ochaya explained that the deployment was partly meant to prevent such incidents from happening again. He said the police had since taken additional measures to strengthen security around the residence.
The deputy police chief also confirmed that investigations into the alleged attack and the reported assault on Barbie Kyagulanyi were still ongoing. He said the police were working to gather evidence and establish exactly what happened during that night.
“Sometimes we prevent crimes from happening, but where they happen, we investigate,” Ochaya explained. He added that the police were committed to uncovering the truth and holding those responsible accountable.
The debate in the committee room continued as other legislators joined the discussion, expressing concern about the broader implications of the deployment. Some MPs argued that maintaining such security around a private home could raise serious constitutional and human rights questions.
Among those who strongly criticised the police explanation was Asuman Basalirwa. Basalirwa said the issue should not be treated casually because it touches on fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.
He reminded the police leadership about a past case involving veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, where security agencies had similarly deployed officers around his residence.
According to Basalirwa, the courts later ruled that such actions amounted to unlawful house arrest and violated the individual’s freedom of movement. He therefore questioned why police seemed to be repeating the same approach again.
The legislator warned that keeping security officers stationed around someone’s home could restrict their right to freely enter and leave their property. He argued that a private home should never be turned into what appears to be a detention facility.
Despite the criticism, Ochaya maintained that the police deployment was lawful and necessary under the circumstances. He insisted that the officers were not preventing anyone from accessing the home but were simply protecting the property.
The deputy police chief concluded by explaining that there was currently no specific timeline for the withdrawal of officers from the residence. However, he noted that once Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu returns, he will be advised to arrange private security guards to protect his property.
Until that happens, the Uganda Police Force says it will continue maintaining a security presence at the Magere residence to ensure that the property remains safe and protected from any potential acts of vandalism.
