Two-time presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi has criticised Uganda’s religious leaders, accusing them of failing to stand up for justice during a period of heightened tension at his home in Magere.
Speaking at Washington DC Public Townhall meeting organised by the Onero Institute in the United States, the National Unity Platform leader said institutions expected to provide moral guidance are increasingly choosing political compromise instead. He argued that this trend has contributed to the silencing of dissenting voices in the country.
Kyagulanyi specifically pointed to the role of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), saying their visit to his residence did little to support his family during what he described as a difficult time.
According to him, his home was under heavy security deployment, with his wife, Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, and their children confined indoors and unable to freely access food or receive visitors.
He claimed that when religious leaders visited, their focus was not on the family’s welfare. Instead, he said, they cautioned his wife against actions that could destabilise the country and sought to know whether he was open to dialogue with President Yoweri Museveni.
The incident dates back to January 2026, when a delegation of senior clerics under the IRCU visited Bobi Wine’s home following the general elections. The team was led by Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
At the time, the clerics said their visit was intended to assess the situation, pray with the family, and verify reports about the alleged restrictions at the residence.
During the meeting, Barbie Kyagulanyi informed them that security forces had limited movement in and out of the home, making it difficult for the family to access essential supplies. She also raised concerns about surveillance and safety.
The religious leaders later held a private meeting away from the media. Afterward, they maintained that their intervention was part of their broader role to engage stakeholders during sensitive political moments, promote calm, and establish facts before making any public statements.
