In a somber media briefing ahead of his campaign journey to Arua, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, declared that the perpetrators behind the 2018 assassination attempt that claimed the life of his driver will one day be brought to book.
Addressing journalists, the National Unity Platform (NUP) president framed the day-long campaign trip to the West Nile region as a significant and deeply personal mission.
“You all know the significance of Arua not just to me but to our People Power Movement,” Kyagulanyi stated. “This is a place where I survived an assassination that claimed the life of my driver and brother Yasin Kawuuma in August 2018.”
He spoke of the lasting trauma of the incident, which occurred during the heated Arua Municipality by-election. “The memories of this horrific tragedy are still fresh on my mind,” he confessed, highlighting the emotional weight of his return.
The 2018 event remains a pivotal moment in Uganda’s recent political history. Following the by-election, security forces violently stormed a hotel where Bobi Wine and other opposition figures were staying. His driver, Yasin Kawuma, was shot dead while seated in the politician’s car. Bobi Wine and several others were subsequently arrested and charged, with the opposition leader alleging he was severely tortured in detention.
Using the occasion to issue a broader promise of accountability, Kyagulanyi sought to reassure his supporters. “As we head to Arua today, we want to assure the public that someday we shall bring the perpetrators of such crimes to book,” he asserted. “The people of Uganda shall have the last laugh.”
The statement sets a defiant tone for his Arua rally, transforming the city from a mere campaign stop into a powerful symbol of both past tragedy and the movement’s unwavering resolve for justice and political change. The visit is being closely watched as a test of public sentiment in a region with a history of strong opposition support.
