Bobi Wine Pressures Commonwealth to Act Against Museveni’s Government

An international law firm has called for urgent Commonwealth action against Uganda following alleged post-election repression, threats against opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and what it describes as serious violations of democratic and human rights obligations.

In a press release issued on Monday, February 2, Amsterdam & Partners LLP said it had formally written to the Commonwealth Secretariat requesting the immediate referral of Uganda to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).

The firm argued that the situation in Uganda meets the threshold for sanctions, including the country’s indefinite suspension from the Commonwealth.

The submission follows Uganda’s January 15, 2026, general election and its aftermath, which the law firm says has been characterised by mass arrests, lethal force against civilians, restrictions on communication, and systematic repression of opposition activity under President Yoweri Museveni.

According to the firm, these actions “fundamentally breach Uganda’s constitutional obligations and its binding commitments as a member of the Commonwealth,” adding that they also amount to violations of international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Alleged Threats Against Bobi Wine

Of particular concern, Amsterdam & Partners highlighted what it termed “explicit public threats” made against Bobi Wine by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the President’s son and Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force.

The firm cited statements allegedly calling for Mr Wine to be “hunted, harmed, or killed,” warning that such remarks constitute, “a credible and imminent threat to life and trigger the Ugandan state’s duty to prevent violence and protect political opponents.”

“These are not isolated remarks,” the firm said, arguing that the failure by the government to repudiate the statements places responsibility, “at the highest level of the Ugandan state.”

Intimidation of Family and Occupation of Residence

The submission to the Commonwealth further documents what the firm described as intimidation and violence directed at Mr Wine’s family, including the, “effective military takeover and occupation of his residence by armed security forces.”

Amsterdam & Partners argued that such conduct “is not lawful security” but rather a strategy, “designed to silence opposition through fear.”

Also Read: Trump’s Govt Threatens Uganda with Sanctions Despite Museveni’s Son’s Apology

Call for Sanctions and Suspension

Robert Amsterdam, the Founder and Managing Partner of the firm, said Uganda was already in breach of its Commonwealth obligations.

“Uganda is in open breach of the Harare Declaration and the Commonwealth Charter,” Mr Amsterdam said.

“When senior commanders publicly threaten an opposition leader and the Government fails to repudiate those threats, responsibility attaches at the highest level,” Amsterdam reiterated.

He added that the Commonwealth must act decisively.

“The Commonwealth must act now through CMAG engagement, a fact-finding mission and clear consequences such as the indefinite suspension of Uganda from the Commonwealth,” he said, warning that inaction would signal tolerance of violence and impunity.

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International Pressure Sought

Beyond Commonwealth action, the law firm also called for, “coordinated international consequences,” including targeted sanctions, until Uganda returns to compliance with the rule of law and Commonwealth values.

Amsterdam & Partners said it is seeking, “public guarantees for the safety of Bobi Wine and his family,” and stressed that anything short of firm action would accelerate “the further demise of any hope of even a semblance of democratic rule in Uganda.”

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