Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has reportedly been injured in a confrontation with a police officer. The incident occurred while the pop star-turned-politician was on his way to meet his lawyers in Bulindo, north of Kampala.
His personal assistant, Najja Ssenyonjo, stated that Bobi Wine was believed to have been shot in the leg and is currently receiving treatment at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala.
Footage shared on social media by journalist Solomon Serwanjja shows Bobi Wine being assisted from a building with a visible injury on his left shin. While the nature of the injury is yet to be officially confirmed, Ssenyonjo mentioned that bullet sounds were heard during the scuffle.
The police issued a statement claiming that Bobi Wine stumbled while getting into his vehicle. They also mentioned that an investigation will be conducted to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
The confrontation occurred after Bobi Wine attended an event in Bulindo. According to the police, he and his team initiated a procession despite being advised against it, leading to police intervention and the altercation that resulted in his injury.
Bobi Wine has faced numerous arrests and has been a target of state repression since entering politics. He is a popular figure, especially among Uganda’s youth, and ran against President Yoweri Museveni in the 2021 election. Museveni has been in power for nearly 40 years, and Uganda’s security forces have a history of pursuing his political opponents.