In a statement shared on X on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader described the grim reality faced by families of detained activists and warned that the cycle of repression has continued into the new year.
“As we remember those we lost in 2025, we must also think of the many who were abducted, tortured, disappeared, exiled, murdered, or simply threatened into silence for supporting the struggle for a New Uganda,” Bobi Wine wrote.
The opposition leader highlighted that the end of the year should not only be a time for mourning, but also for recognising the ongoing suppression of political dissent.
“As we remember those we lost in 2025, we must also think of the many who were abducted, tortured, disappeared, exiled, murdered, or simply threatened into silence for supporting the struggle for a New Uganda,” Bobi Wine wrote.
The opposition leader highlighted that the end of the year should not only be a time for mourning, but also for recognising the ongoing suppression of political dissent.
Many activists, he said, remain behind bars without trial, leaving families in anguish and unable to seek justice.
Bobi Wine singled out the case of his close ally, Eddie Mutwe, whose ordeal he described as a reflection of the broader treatment of opposition supporters in Uganda.
“Since he was abducted on April 27, 2025, and personally tortured to near death by dictator Eddie Mutwe, he remains captive in prison without treatment or trial,” he said.
He added that Mutwe’s situation is far from unique. Several detainees, including Machete Yasin and Ashraf Kalanzi, have spent up to five years in Kitalya prison without being presented before a court.
Bobi Wine singled out the case of his close ally, Eddie Mutwe, whose ordeal he described as a reflection of the broader treatment of opposition supporters in Uganda.
“Since he was abducted on April 27, 2025, and personally tortured to near death by dictator Eddie Mutwe, he remains captive in prison without treatment or trial,” he said.
He added that Mutwe’s situation is far from unique. Several detainees, including Machete Yasin and Ashraf Kalanzi, have spent up to five years in Kitalya prison without being presented before a court.
Bobi Wine said the growing list of detainees also includes young activists and senior party figures whose only “crime” was speaking out against the government.
“Add to that list our Deputy Spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro, comrades Olivia Lutaaya, Achileo Kivumbi, Bobi Young, and others,” he wrote.
Bobi Wine also revisited the controversial arrest of veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, saying the circumstances of his detention continue to raise serious concerns.
“Add to that list our Deputy Spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro, comrades Olivia Lutaaya, Achileo Kivumbi, Bobi Young, and others,” he wrote.
Bobi Wine also revisited the controversial arrest of veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, saying the circumstances of his detention continue to raise serious concerns.
He recounted that on November 16, 2024, Besigye was abducted from Kenya, smuggled back into Uganda, and imprisoned, where he remains to date.
The opposition leader warned that unless accountability is enforced, the cycle of fear, repression, and human rights violations will continue to define Uganda’s political landscape.
The opposition leader warned that unless accountability is enforced, the cycle of fear, repression, and human rights violations will continue to define Uganda’s political landscape.
He urged regional and international actors to take note of these injustices and advocate for the release of political prisoners.
Bobi Wine’s warning comes amid growing concerns over the safety of opposition figures and civil society actors in Uganda.
Bobi Wine’s warning comes amid growing concerns over the safety of opposition figures and civil society actors in Uganda.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called on the government to end arbitrary detentions, provide proper medical treatment to prisoners, and ensure that due process is followed.
“The story of these detainees is not only about politics. It is about families deprived of closure, young people intimidated into silence, and a nation that risks normalising oppression,” Bobi Wine said.
“The story of these detainees is not only about politics. It is about families deprived of closure, young people intimidated into silence, and a nation that risks normalising oppression,” Bobi Wine said.
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