The Minister for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has told opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, to stop "drama" over his whereabouts and return home.
Kyagulanyi, who lost the January 14 presidential election to President Museveni, has refused to recognise the results, alleging rigging and irregularities. After the polls, he left his home in Magere, went into hiding and has been sharing updates with supporters on social media, citing fears for his safety.
Appearing on NBS Television on Sunday, Baryomunsi said the government is not pursuing Kyagulanyi and advised him to return.
"There's no need for him to be in hiding. No body wants him. He is not under pursuit by the police, the army or the state. He is free to come from wherever he is hiding and come to his home, and observe law and order," he said.
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The minister also noted that other candidates in the election are at peace and called on Kyagulanyi to end what he described as "the theatrics to cause a story where is none."
"Presidential and Parliamentary elections are now done. We are now focusing on a few elections to complete the process and then move on with delivering our manifesto," Baryomunsi said.
He criticised Kyagulanyi's leadership of the opposition over the last five years, saying the NUP chief had failed to mobilise support across the country.
"He just created a wrong feeling that he was getting stronger and yet when he led the opposition in the last five years, he could not persuade anybody. Instead of focusing on mobilising Ugandans, he was rather creating conflicts within his own party. He never endeared himself to areas where he was not supported," Baryomunsi added.
As the country moves on from the presidential election, Baryomunsi emphasised that focus should now shift to completing remaining local polls and implementing government programmes, rather than on political theatrics.
Several government officials and security agencies have recently reiterated that Kyagulanyi is not under threat and is free to return home.
However, the NUP leader maintains he is being targeted by the regime. Over the weekend, his wife Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi alleged that security forces raided their home and assaulted her.
On Monday, the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba dismissed the claims, insisting that the military does not target women.
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The CDF, however, maintained that security were pursuing Kyagulanyi.
"We are looking for her cowardly husband (Kyagulanyi) not her," Gen Muhoozi said.
