Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has declared his intention to return to his home country.
He dismissed any notion that his rights and freedom are subject to negotiation, while warning that he continues to face threats despite being thousands of miles away.
Speaking in an interview on France 24 English after reappearing in Washington following weeks of hiding, Bobi Wine was categorical that his return to Uganda was a matter of right, not privilege.
“My return to my home country is a right and I will soon return to Uganda, and the regime can do whatever they want,” he said, adding that his fight, work, and citizenship all belong to Uganda.
On reports that US Ambassador to Uganda William Poppe was brokering an agreement with President Museveni that would allow his safe return and secure recognition of his party, the National Unity Platform, Bobi Wine pushed back firmly.
“First and foremost, we don’t need any negotiation for our political party to be recognized. The law is not to be negotiated. The law is the law,” he said, insisting that his party is already a legitimate political party under both Ugandan and international law.
While expressing openness to dialogue, Bobi Wine drew a distinction between constructive engagement and transactional dealings.
“We have never been disagreeable to dialogue. We are for dialogue, but we don’t believe in transactional dialogue. We believe in constructive and principled dialogue,” he stated.
Bobi Wine added that he was not going to negotiate his freedom, and that his freedom must be guaranteed.
Bobi Wine also raised the alarm over his personal security, revealing that he is aware of being monitored.
“I am still under threat. I am aware that I am being followed,” he said.
He pointed to Uganda’s history of dissidents being pursued and harmed even from abroad.
He nevertheless noted that being outside the country at least afforded him the ability to speak freely to the world.
Bobi Wine was resolute that his return would only happen on his own terms.
“I am supposed to be in Uganda as a free citizen, not as a person who must beg for my freedom,” he said.
