Uganda’s information minister condemned a military raid on the home of opposition leader Bobi Wine last month, saying the pop star-turned-politician had committed no crime and was free to return to his residence.
Chris Baryomunsi told Reuters that the government did not endorse the actions described by Wine, who has been in hiding for weeks after leaving his home in Kampala hours before being declared runner-up to President Yoweri Museveni in the January 15 presidential election.
On January 24, Wine said his wife was hospitalised after soldiers stormed their residence, alleging they partially undressed and choked her. Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also Museveni’s son, denied any assault but later said on social media that soldiers had “captured and then released” her.
Baryomunsi, who also serves as a government spokesperson, said authorities would investigate the incident.
“We do not condone any acts of indiscipline on the side of the army and security forces,” he said. “Invading his home, causing damage, assaulting his wife, or anybody, is wrong.”
He declined to say whether any security personnel would face penalties if found to have violated the law.
A spokesperson for Wine’s National Unity Platform party did not respond to requests for comment.
Kainerugaba has said publicly that the military is looking for Wine, who has rejected the election results, alleging fraud. The army chief has not specified what charges Wine might face.
Rights groups and opposition figures have long accused the government of Museveni, who has been in power for four decades, of using the military to suppress dissent—claims the government denies.
Separately, Baryomunsi said Uganda had no plans to withdraw its troops from an African Union mission fighting jihadists in Somalia, contradicting recent remarks by Kainerugaba, who last week threatened on social media to pull forces out over funding disputes.
Kainerugaba has a record of controversial online posts, many of which he later deletes. He has previously threatened Wine and claimed the military had killed opposition supporters.
Baryomunsi said the general’s online statements should be regarded as “casual comments” that do not reflect official government policy or decisions.