Winnie Byanyima has dismissed calls for her to flee Uganda, insisting she will remain in the country despite what she describes as escalating threats against her family and allies.
In a public statement, Byanyima said she had received concerns from supporters urging her to seek exile following the detention of her husband, opposition figure Kizza Besigye, and the reported disappearance of former minister Miria Matembe.
However, she maintained that leaving Uganda was not an option.
Byanyima accused General Muhoozi Kainerugaba of issuing threats against both her and Besigye, warning that the developments point to growing political pressure on dissenting voices.
She emphasized that while the threats are being taken seriously, they would not force her into retreat.
“We will not bow to intimidation or abandon our country,” she stated, framing her stance as part of a broader struggle for justice and democratic governance.
The remarks come amid heightened concern over the safety of opposition figures and activists in Uganda.
Besigye, a longtime critic of the government, has faced repeated arrests and detentions over the years, while Matembe’s disappearance has raised alarm among civil society groups and human rights defenders.
Byanyima said her response would remain within legal frameworks, noting that she intends to pursue “every lawful means” to hold those responsible accountable.
She underscored the importance of rule of law, arguing that no individual should operate above legal limits.
“Uganda must be governed by laws, not by fear,” she said, adding that authority must be exercised within constitutional boundaries.
.Her statement is likely to intensify debate around political freedoms and state power in Uganda, particularly as tensions continue to rise ahead of future electoral processes