KAMPALA – Security forces conducted a forceful raid on One Love Beach-Busabala, a property owned by National Unity Platform (NUP) president and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
According to a statement shared on Kyagulanyi’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, a joint force of police and military personnel stormed the premises on Wednesday, breaking through the gates and entering the facility by force.
Allegations of Excessive Force
Kyagulanyi claimed that the facility’s CCTV systems were cut off during the operation, leaving no video evidence of the events. Employees were allegedly rounded up by armed personnel, and some, who sought refuge in the kitchen area, were reportedly targeted with tear gas.
“The police and military have raided our premises at One Love Beach-Busabala, broken the gates, and entered by force. Our CCTV cameras have been cut off, and our employees are being rounded up,” Kyagulanyi said in his statement.
The number of employees detained or injured during the raid remains unclear.
Unclear Motive for the Raid
The motive for the operation has not been officially communicated. Attempts to reach police and military representatives for a statement were unsuccessful. Deputy UPDF Spokesperson Col. Deo Akiiki referred inquiries to Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, who did not respond to repeated calls.
The NUP stated that the facility was set to host a retreat for their supporters, referred to as “foot soldiers.”
History of Targeted Raids
This is not the first time Kyagulanyi has faced raids on properties linked to him. The pop star-turned-politician has been a vocal critic of President Museveni’s government, and previous incidents have been widely criticized as politically motivated.
Human rights organizations and supporters of Kyagulanyi have condemned the latest raid, labeling it a heavy-handed approach by the security forces.
Social Media Outcry
The incident has sparked widespread concern on social media, with activists and the public calling for accountability. Many have highlighted the potential human rights violations involved in the operation.
At the time of writing, Kyagulanyi was en route to the beach to assess the situation and take stock of the damages.
