Ugandan opposition figure Barbara Itungo, the wife of prominent politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, has given a detailed and disturbing account of a violent raid on her home during Uganda’s recent election period. Her testimony sheds new light on the intense political pressure and personal risks faced by opposition families amid heightened political tensions in the country.
Speaking to the media on January 24, 2025, Itungo described how her residence was stormed by a large group of men during the general elections held on January 15, 2026. According to her account, the attackers subjected her to intimidation, physical assault and humiliation after she refused to surrender the password to her mobile phone.
Itungo said the incident unfolded late at night when she realized her home was surrounded. Men had positioned themselves at every door and window, effectively sealing off any possible escape. She recalled refusing repeated demands to open the doors, prompting the group to force their way inside by breaking doors and windows.
She described the intruders as unusually organized and uniform in appearance, noting their similar height, build and clothing. Even their footwear, she observed, appeared identical, reinforcing her belief that they were not ordinary criminals but individuals who had been deliberately selected and coordinated for the operation.
Once inside the house, the men reportedly split into groups, searching every room, including bedrooms and bathrooms, while others remained stationed in the living room. The atmosphere, she said, was one of total control and intimidation, leaving her with no doubt that the operation was carefully planned.
Itungo explained that one of the men soon demanded her phone. She handed it over but firmly refused to reveal the password, a decision that would escalate the violence. The man briefly stepped outside to consult with others before returning with four additional men.
According to her testimony, one of them grabbed her by the back of the neck using the shirt she was wearing, forcefully pulling her toward the phone and demanding again that she unlock it. Despite the threat, she refused, repeating that she would not give up the password.
The situation quickly deteriorated. One of the men began choking her while another restrained her. In an attempt to defend herself, Itungo pushed back, grabbing onto the man holding her. The struggle caused her shirt to tear apart, leaving her partially undressed.
She said the incident caused visible discomfort among some of the attackers, with a few reportedly urging that she be covered, acknowledging that she was a mother. Despite this brief moment of hesitation, the violence did not stop.
The men returned moments later, visibly angrier. Itungo recounted being slammed against a wall and pinned down as they sat on her body, applying pressure in an apparent attempt to force her compliance. Throughout the ordeal, she said she maintained eye contact with them, refusing to give in to their demands.
When it became clear that intimidation and physical abuse would not yield the phone password, the attackers shifted their focus. They began dismantling surveillance cameras installed in the house, moving systematically to remove potential evidence of the raid.
The group then interrogated the household worker, asking detailed questions about the camera system, where footage was stored, the location of control rooms and the whereabouts of the children. The worker, who was new and unfamiliar with the house’s systems, could not provide any useful information.
Frustrated, the attackers proceeded to confiscate all electronic devices they could find within the home. Itungo said laptops, phones and other digital equipment were taken, suggesting a deliberate attempt to erase digital traces and silence communication.
During the raid, the men reportedly questioned her personal life, demanding to know why she had married what they described as a “traitor,” a reference to her husband’s opposition political role. The remarks, she said, were intended to humiliate and psychologically break her.
The attack occurred at a time when Bobi Wine himself was not at home. Itungo confirmed that her husband had gone into hiding after narrowly escaping a separate security operation at their residence. His temporary flight, she explained, was driven by fears for his safety following increased surveillance and pressure from security forces.
The incident adds to a growing list of allegations by opposition figures and human rights groups who claim that election periods in Uganda are marked by intimidation, harassment and targeted violence against government critics. While authorities often deny involvement, such accounts continue to fuel debate over political freedoms and the rule of law in the country.
Security analysts note that raids targeting family members of opposition leaders are particularly alarming, as they blur the line between political competition and personal persecution. Such actions, they warn, risk deepening mistrust, discouraging political participation and further polarizing the nation.
Itungo’s account has resonated widely among supporters of the opposition, many of whom see her experience as emblematic of the broader challenges faced by dissenting voices in Uganda. Her refusal to surrender her phone password has been widely interpreted as an act of defiance in the face of coercion.
Despite the trauma, Itungo said she felt compelled to speak publicly to ensure that what happened inside her home did not remain hidden. She emphasized that silence would only normalize such acts and also embolden those who use fear as a political tool.
As Uganda continues to navigate the aftermath of contested elections, calls for accountability, independent investigations and stronger protections for civilians are growing louder. Whether these demands will translate into meaningful reforms remains uncertain, but testimonies like Itungo’s ensure that the human cost of political conflict remains visible.
The events surrounding the raid on her home stand as a stark reminder that, for many involved in opposition politics, the struggle extends far beyond campaign rallies and ballots, reaching deeply into private lives and personal safety.
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