Sources familiar with the matter say Kyagulanyi quietly exited the country about a week ago, although neither he nor his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has publicly confirmed his current location.
“That is the information available to us at the moment,” one government official said. “He is believed to have left the country several days ago.”
The reported departure comes days after Kyagulanyi announced that he had gone into hiding, citing concerns for his personal safety following what he described as a military raid on his home in Magere, Wakiso District.
Claims of Threats and Harassment
On January 16, Kyagulanyi said security forces surrounded and raided his residence, an operation he claimed left his family traumatised and fearful.
He further alleged that armed personnel assaulted his wife, Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, and placed the home under surveillance.
Since then, the opposition leader has released a series of statements and videos on social media, alleging that state security agencies were targeting him and senior NUP officials following the disputed election outcome.
Kyagulanyi, who has contested for the presidency twice, rejected the January 15 election results, accusing the Electoral Commission of presiding over a flawed process marked by intimidation, irregularities and voter suppression.
“These elections did not reflect the will of the people,” he said in one of his recent messages, insisting that the outcome was imposed through force rather than free choice.
Government Dismisses Claims
The government, however, has strongly denied accusations that Kyagulanyi is being hunted or persecuted by security agencies.
Minister for Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, said last week that Kyagulanyi was not a wanted person and had no reason to flee or remain in hiding.
“On behalf of the government of Uganda, Robert Kyagulanyi is not being pursued by any security organ,” Baryomunsi said. “He is free to move, free to return home, and free to carry out his political activities within the law.”
Baryomunsi added that no arrest warrant exists against the NUP leader and urged him to return to the country and engage in lawful political activity, noting that other former presidential candidates continue to live peacefully in Uganda.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja echoed the same position, describing Kyagulanyi’s decision to go into hiding as unnecessary and politically driven.
“No one is looking for him,” Nabbanja said during a recent public engagement. “He should stop playing politics with fear and return home to his family.”
Military Response
Kyagulanyi’s allegations of violence against his wife were also dismissed by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who stated that the military does not target civilians, especially women.
“The UPDF does not assault women,” Muhoozi said, dismissing claims of abuse as false and misleading.
Despite these denials, rights activists and opposition supporters have continued to express concern over the shrinking political space, citing arrests of NUP supporters, disruptions of party activities and ongoing prosecutions of opposition figures.
Silence from NUP
As reports of Kyagulanyi’s departure spread, NUP officials have largely remained silent, declining to confirm or deny whether their party leader is outside the country.
Some party insiders, however, privately argue that Kyagulanyi’s decision to leave, if true, may have been influenced by safety considerations rather than political strategy.
“This is someone who believes his life is in danger,” said one NUP-affiliated activist. “Whether people agree with him or not, those fears should not be dismissed casually.”
Political Implications
Kyagulanyi’s reported absence raises questions about the future of opposition mobilisation in the immediate post-election period.
Since then, the opposition leader has released a series of statements and videos on social media, alleging that state security agencies were targeting him and senior NUP officials following the disputed election outcome.
Kyagulanyi, who has contested for the presidency twice, rejected the January 15 election results, accusing the Electoral Commission of presiding over a flawed process marked by intimidation, irregularities and voter suppression.
“These elections did not reflect the will of the people,” he said in one of his recent messages, insisting that the outcome was imposed through force rather than free choice.
Government Dismisses Claims
The government, however, has strongly denied accusations that Kyagulanyi is being hunted or persecuted by security agencies.
Minister for Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, said last week that Kyagulanyi was not a wanted person and had no reason to flee or remain in hiding.
“On behalf of the government of Uganda, Robert Kyagulanyi is not being pursued by any security organ,” Baryomunsi said. “He is free to move, free to return home, and free to carry out his political activities within the law.”
Baryomunsi added that no arrest warrant exists against the NUP leader and urged him to return to the country and engage in lawful political activity, noting that other former presidential candidates continue to live peacefully in Uganda.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja echoed the same position, describing Kyagulanyi’s decision to go into hiding as unnecessary and politically driven.
“No one is looking for him,” Nabbanja said during a recent public engagement. “He should stop playing politics with fear and return home to his family.”
Military Response
Kyagulanyi’s allegations of violence against his wife were also dismissed by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who stated that the military does not target civilians, especially women.
“The UPDF does not assault women,” Muhoozi said, dismissing claims of abuse as false and misleading.
Despite these denials, rights activists and opposition supporters have continued to express concern over the shrinking political space, citing arrests of NUP supporters, disruptions of party activities and ongoing prosecutions of opposition figures.
Silence from NUP
As reports of Kyagulanyi’s departure spread, NUP officials have largely remained silent, declining to confirm or deny whether their party leader is outside the country.
Some party insiders, however, privately argue that Kyagulanyi’s decision to leave, if true, may have been influenced by safety considerations rather than political strategy.
“This is someone who believes his life is in danger,” said one NUP-affiliated activist. “Whether people agree with him or not, those fears should not be dismissed casually.”
Political Implications
Kyagulanyi’s reported absence raises questions about the future of opposition mobilisation in the immediate post-election period.
As the most prominent opposition figure in Uganda, his physical presence has often been a rallying point for supporters, particularly during moments of national tension.
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