Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security, Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, has dismissed claims that opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi fled the country due to state pressure, insisting he was neither wanted nor under active pursuit.

Speaking on Sanyuka Television on Tuesday, Nalweyiso said Kyagulanyi was free to move in and out of the country, arguing that his departure was a personal decision rather than a forced escape.

"I have never attended any meeting where Kyagulanyi was being discussed as a wanted person. He is free to leave the country and return," she said.

Nalweyiso added that Uganda has multiple official border points that remain open to citizens, emphasizing that no restrictions had been placed on the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader.

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"We have about six border points that can be used. Kyagulanyi left the country because no one was looking for him," she noted.

The senior military officer further downplayed assertions that Kyagulanyi had been in hiding, suggesting instead that he had been moving within the country without interference.

"I believe Kyagulanyi has been touring Uganda, and anyone can leave the country as long as they are not being actively pursued," she said.

Her remarks come amid ongoing debate over Kyagulanyi's recent announcement that he had temporarily left Uganda after weeks of operating from undisclosed locations following the disputed January 2026 presidential election.

Kyagulanyi has maintained that his movements were restricted by security forces, describing the post-election period as one of heavy deployment, arrests of his associates, and intimidation of his family.

However, Nalweyiso's has maintained that there was no active manhunt for the opposition leader.