Former presidential assistant for research and information Duncan Abigaba has criticised National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, over his recent remarks concerning the health scare of First Lady Janet Museveni.
The criticism follows an exchange between President Yoweri Museveni and Bobi Wine after the president revealed that the First Lady had recently recovered from a serious illness.
In his message marking Janet Museveni’s birthday, Museveni attributed the incident to “Satan,” while crediting God and medical personnel for her recovery.
Bobi Wine responded by quoting a biblical verse and warning that leaders “reap what they sow,” in remarks widely interpreted as a critique of the government’s record on human rights and governance.
However, Abigaba faulted the opposition leader for what he described as a lack of empathy in addressing a sensitive personal matter.
“Uncalled for. A national leader should rise above such pettiness,” Abigaba said in a statement.
He argued that leadership demands compassion, even towards political opponents, particularly during moments of personal difficulty. To support his position, Abigaba cited a historical example from Uganda’s past.
“When a helicopter carrying Gen. Oyite Ojok crashed in Luwero in December 1983, Museveni told NRA fighters not to celebrate because Uganda had lost a good soldier,” he said.
Abigaba added that such conduct reflected a standard of leadership that prioritises national unity and humanity over political rivalry. “Leadership requires empathy even in adversity,” he noted.
The remarks have added a new dimension to the ongoing public exchange between the government and the opposition, highlighting differing approaches to political communication and personal matters.
While Bobi Wine’s supporters have defended his comments as a broader statement on accountability, critics argue that the tone risked politicising a health issue involving the First Family.
The debate underscores the increasingly sharp rhetoric in Uganda’s political landscape, where statements by key figures often spark immediate and polarised reactions.