The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has strongly condemned comments allegedly made by National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, during his rally in Kawempe, where he reportedly urged supporters to “behave like rebels” and assured them that they could “outnumber security forces and cause chaos.”
UPDF spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi described the remarks as reckless and harmful to the country’s stability.
“This type of rhetoric by the NUP presidential candidate is very unfortunate indeed. It is ill-advised, toxic, shallow in logic, and dangerous,” Col. Magezi said. “The security forces strongly condemn the spirit and message behind the applied language, and contend that this must stop henceforth.”
Col. Magezi warned that inciting violence would only lead to disaster for those encouraging it.
“In the worst-case scenario, those who incite violence and promote anarchy by misleading the young people to confront security forces will themselves not escape the outcome,” he said. “The net effect will be a zero-sum game with no winners.”
He added that Uganda’s history should serve as a reminder to political actors.
“Recalling our long history of instability, it is inconceivable that an aspiring national leader would seek to undermine the credibility of the country’s security forces, the foundation upon which everything else thrives,” Magezi noted.
According to him, the UPDF remains fully capable of handling any threat.
“The country’s armed forces, and the UPDF in particular, are highly capable, organized, and lethal. There is no threat we cannot deal with, and it will be very bad news for those who do not heed the warnings,” he said.
He pointed to regional militant groups as proof of the army’s strength.
“If the NUP leader is in doubt, he should consult the al-Shabaab in Somalia, the ADF and CODECO in DRC, or Joseph Kony and his defunct LRA in CAR,” Magezi stated.
He went on to compare the alleged remarks to past groups that misled young Ugandans into violence.
“Modern-day Alice Lakwena’s or the Kirumira Mutimas of the Rwenzori region have no place in Uganda’s progress and transformational journey,” he said.
Col. Magezi appealed to all political leaders to campaign peacefully.
“We appeal to political leaders to look for votes peacefully and in accordance with Electoral Commission guidelines and within the laws of Uganda,” he added.
His statement followed political tension sparked by Bobi Wine’s comments. While footage circulating online appears to show the NUP leader making the remarks, the party has denied the claims.
Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi challenged Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda, who presented the issue in Parlament, to present full evidence. Kabanda went ahead and posted the videos on social media.
