Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, says he has temporarily left the country after spending weeks in hiding following the disputed presidential election earlier this year.
In a video message shared online, Wine said he had left Uganda to handle what he described as critical engagements abroad and promised to return.
“By the time you see this video, I will have left the country for some critical engagements outside Uganda. At the right time, I will come back and continue with the cause,” Wine said.
Wine, a musician turned politician and leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has not appeared in public since the January presidential election that saw long-time leader Yoweri Museveni declared the winner.
The opposition has rejected the outcome of the vote, accusing the government of election fraud and widespread intimidation during the campaign. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, won another term in the election.
Wine said security forces had been searching for him for weeks after he went into hiding. According to him, roadblocks were mounted across parts of the country and homes of some of his colleagues were raided as authorities tried to track him down.
In the video, he thanked supporters who helped keep him safe while he was in hiding and said he plans to use his time outside the country to engage international partners and push for action over what he called violations in Uganda.
Wine also maintained that he believes he won the election and said he intends to return home after completing his engagements abroad.
Ugandan authorities have not immediately commented on his announcement.
