Ugandans in Canada Protest Over Alleged Attempt on Bobi Wine’s Life

Ugandans in Canada took to the streets in a passionate demonstration following an alleged assassination attempt on the life of Uganda’s main opposition leader, Bobi Wine (real name: Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu), during a confrontation with police in Kampala. Bobi Wine, a pop star turned politician and leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), was reportedly shot and injured as he exited his lawyer’s residence on the outskirts of Uganda’s capital.

The protests, organized by the NUP CANADA CHAPTER in  Toronto and it started at  77 Grace Street in Toronto headed by Doreen Kajumba , Brenda Nakato  The Nup Chapter Leader and in  Niagara Region reflected widespread anger and fear for the safety of the opposition leader, whose political challenges to long-serving President Yoweri Museveni have been met with severe crackdowns. Demonstrators in Canada held placards demanding justice, chanting slogans like “Hands Off Bobi Wine!” and “Uganda Needs Change!” to bring attention to the deteriorating political situation in their homeland.

Wine, who ran for the presidency in 2021, was rushed to the hospital after the incident, where minor surgery was performed to remove fragments from his injured leg. In an interview with The Hoima Post, Bobi Wine described how he was shot at by police and targeted with tear gas as he left his lawyer’s home. “The canister exploded and injured my left leg, leaving a big wound. I had minor surgery and two fragments were removed. I’m now out of danger,” Wine confirmed.

The NUP shared footage of Wine being assisted into a car, visibly injured, as police vehicles left the scene. The party alleged that security forces had surrounded their vehicles, opening fire with live bullets and tear gas canisters in what they described as a clear attempt on Wine’s life.

Wine’s account was further aggravated by reports that police raided the medical facility where he was receiving treatment, forcing him to leave the hospital prematurely. “They demanded access to me, prompting me to be treated from home,” Wine said.

This latest violent encounter comes amid growing concern over political repression in Uganda, where President Museveni has been in power since 1986. Bobi Wine’s previous campaign for the presidency was marred by violence, arrests, and widespread allegations of electoral fraud. Many fear that this attack signals more intense government efforts to silence the opposition ahead of the 2026 elections, in which Wine is expected to run again.

Sarah Bireete, director of the Center for Constitutional Governance in Kampala, expressed concern that the attack might be a prelude to more political violence in the lead-up to the next election, asking, “Is this a curtain-raiser for 2026 election violence?”

The Canadian Ugandan community, many of whom fled Uganda for political reasons, expressed deep solidarity with Bobi Wine and urged the international community to intervene. “This nonsense of tormenting peaceful, unarmed civilians must stop,” said one protester, echoing the sentiments of many. Human rights activists, including Uganda’s Ingrid Turinawe, also condemned the incident, emphasizing that all Ugandans have the right to move and live freely without fear of harm.

Ugandan police, however, issued a statement denying any wrongdoing, claiming that the opposition leader stumbled while entering his vehicle, leading to his injury. They pledged to investigate the incident further to clarify the facts.

As Ugandans in Canada and around the world continue to mobilize in support of Bobi Wine, the pressure mounts on the Museveni government to address allegations of political violence and ensure a free and fair democratic process in the years to come.