Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the popular musician turned politician, along with his family, will reportedly be allowed to return to their multibillion-shilling Magere residence after President Yoweri Museveni is sworn in as the newly elected president. This exclusive report comes from Ono Bwino sources.
The announcement follows claims that during the preparation for the swearing-in ceremony, security officials had planned to place Bobi Wine under house arrest or forcibly detain him until the president officially took the oath of office.
Haji Yunus Kakande, the Permanent Secretary to the Office of the President and a member of the swearing-in organizing committee, confirmed that preparation meetings began on Thursday, March 6, 2026, with all relevant officials invited to coordinate security and logistics.
President Museveni is scheduled to take the oath on May 12, 2026, at the Kololo Independence Grounds, according to official statements from the Office of the President.
Highly placed security sources claimed the decision to detain Bobi Wine had been based on intelligence reports suggesting he might attempt to disrupt the swearing-in proceedings. These sources indicated that security forces were prepared to neutralize any such threats.
Despite these plans, Bobi Wine reportedly evaded detention. Sources disclosed that he managed to leave his home immediately after casting his vote and was later assisted by a high-level diplomat to exit the country safely.
His wife, Barbra Itungo, along with their children, also left the country after a military raid on their home. She publicly alleged that security personnel had manhandled and tortured her while demanding information about her husband’s whereabouts.
Following these events, sources indicated that Bobi Wine is expected to reunite with his family in the United States after holding meetings with political contacts and funders in Scandinavian countries.
Officials further revealed that security is likely to gradually withdraw from Bobi Wine’s home by the end of May, once it is confirmed that there are no remaining plans to destabilize the country. A small contingent of security personnel is expected to remain temporarily to monitor the situation until Bobi Wine officially resumes control of his property.
Currently, the military has taken full control of the Magere residence. Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, stated that troops have pitched tents on the property and are using the home’s facilities, including toilets, while maintaining a continuous presence.
Observers have drawn parallels with the treatment of Dr Kizza Besigye in previous elections, noting that he was placed under house arrest by security forces until the president’s swearing-in ceremonies were completed.
During the recent elections, security sources claimed to have disrupted the National Unity Platform (NUP) party’s plans by arresting key leaders and supporters and filing criminal charges against them, effectively curtailing organized political activity.
David Lewis Rubongoya, NUP Secretary General, emphasized that despite these challenges, the party remains operational and intends to engage grassroots leaders and members who participated in the 2026 general elections.
Rubongoya called on Ugandans whose relatives were arrested or kidnapped during the post-election period to register their cases at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule to facilitate justice proceedings.
He further stated that the party plans to pursue legal action in both local and international courts to seek redress for victims of post-election violence and security crackdowns.
Sources indicate that Bobi Wine’s return to his home will be closely monitored, and security measures will only be fully lifted when authorities are satisfied that stability has been restored in the area.
The military’s continued presence at the residence has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who argue that such actions undermine citizens’ rights to property and freedom of movement.
Bobi Wine’s evasion of house arrest and subsequent departure abroad is seen by supporters as a strategic move that avoided further confrontation with security forces while allowing him to continue political coordination from overseas.
Family members and party officials have expressed relief that the Magere home will soon be accessible to them, marking a symbolic restoration of property rights after weeks of military occupation.
Political analysts suggest that Bobi Wine’s case highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling party and opposition figures in Uganda, particularly during high-stakes electoral transitions.
As preparations for Museveni’s swearing-in continue, both government and opposition sources indicate a cautious approach to security, aiming to balance public order with individual rights, while ensuring that key political figures can return to their homes once the formalities are complete.
The unfolding situation underscores the complex intersection of politics, security, and human rights in Uganda’s post-election environment, with Bobi Wine’s family’s anticipated return to Magere serving as a key milestone in the ongoing political narrative.
About the Author
