Pastor Kayanja Condemns Raid on Bobi Wine’s Home, Draws Parallel to Amin Era
KAMPALA – Prominent clergyman Pastor Robert Kayanja has issued a strong condemnation of the recent military raid on the home of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine, stating that such acts of violence against civilians were last seen during the rule of Idi Amin.
The incident in question occurred on the night of January 23, 2026, when Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers raided the Kyagulanyi residence in Magere. The operation targeted the opposition leader, who has been in hiding since the disputed January elections. During the raid, soldiers allegedly assaulted staff, damaged property, and reportedly held Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbra Itungo Kyagulanyi, at gunpoint.
Ms. Itungo was later admitted to hospital, where she recounted being undressed and manhandled by the soldiers. The event has sparked national and international outrage.
Addressing the issue, Pastor Kayanja expressed deep concern over the conduct of some within the military. “Whoever saw what happened in the home of Hon Robert Kyagulanyi, especially on his wife; we condemn such acts. Our national army is well known for its discipline wherever it is deployed,” he stated.
He emphasized that the actions of a few individuals were tarnishing the UPDF’s reputation and described Ms. Itungo as “a mother of the nation” who deserves protection, not violence. “When you go and undress her like they did, you are undressing the entire nation,” Kayanja asserted.
In a powerful historical comparison, the pastor lamented, “We last saw these acts during Idi Amin’s time and in Obote II,” referring to Uganda’s past periods of brutal dictatorship and state violence in the 1970s and 1980s.
Kayanja concluded with a call for accountability and repentance from those involved, urging that such acts must not be repeated for the country to move forward.
The raid continues to be a subject of intense political and public debate, with growing demands for a transparent investigation into the military’s conduct.
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