National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that external negotiations are underway to facilitate his safe return to Uganda, insisting that his party’s legitimacy is already established by law.
In an interview with France 24 on Tuesday, the opposition leader was asked about reports that United States Ambassador to Uganda William Popp was brokering an agreement with President Yoweri Museveni that would allow his safe return and secure NUP’s recognition as a legitimate political party.
“We don’t need any negotiations for our party to be recognised,” Kyagulanyi responded. “The law is not to be negotiated. The law is the law; and according to the law, in Uganda and internationally, we are a legitimate political party.”
While affirming his openness to dialogue, the NUP leader drew a clear distinction between constructive engagement and what he termed “transactional dialogue.”
“We have never been disagreeable to dialogue; we are for dialogue but we don’t believe in transactional dialogue. I am not going to negotiate my freedom. It has to be guaranteed,” he stated. “I intend to go back to my country. My fight, my work and my citizenship are in Uganda.”
The interview comes amid mounting speculation following reports that intense talks were underway between NUP and top government officials to allow Kyagulanyi’s safe return without facing criminal charges. These reports gained traction after security forces recently withdrew from his Magere residence, where they had maintained a prolonged presence.
Further fuelling speculation, several of NUP’s top officials who were arrested during the January elections have since been released on bail. These include two deputy presidents, Jacklyn Tukamushaba and Lina Zedriga. On Tuesday, a third senior party official, John Mary Ssebuwufu, who serves as a commissioner in the NUP electoral commission, was also granted bail.
Despite the apparent thaw in tensions, the National Unity Platform is expected to release an official statement denying any ongoing negotiations between the party and the government, maintaining their position that dialogue must be principled rather than transactional
 President Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that external negotiations are underway to facilitate his safe return to Uganda, insisting that his party's legitimacy is already established by law.){kind=link}