Fact-Check: Claims of Muntu Rejecting Bobi Wine Lack Credible Evidence

Mugisha Muntu greets Bobi Wine

A report published by Explorer Uganda alleging that opposition leader Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu refused to back Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine cannot be independently verified and appears to be highly dubious.

The article, which claimed Muntu branded Bobi Wine a “hooligan” and that coalition talks among opposition parties had collapsed, has not been corroborated by any credible Ugandan media outlet. Established newspapers and broadcasters such as Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, Observer, and New Vision have not reported on such an incident, despite its political significance.

What is verifiable, however, is that since the 2021 general elections, opposition parties—including Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP), Muntu’s Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), and factions of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)—have occasionally discussed the possibility of forming a united front ahead of 2026. Dr. Kizza Besigye’s People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has also pushed for unity, though its influence remains limited.

Robert Kyagulanyi remains the dominant opposition figure and is expected to contest in 2026, while Muntu’s ANT continues to operate with a comparatively smaller base. Still, no formal coalition has been announced, and none of the major players have publicly confirmed a collapse in talks.

Analysts also point to the highly emotive language in Explorer Uganda’s report phrases such as “extreme arrogance” and “explosive meeting” as hallmarks of sensationalism rather than neutral journalism. Fact-checkers, including Africa Check and Observer’s fact-checking desk, have previously flagged Explorer Uganda for publishing pro-government narratives and unverified claims.

The timing of the story, less than a year before elections, also raises questions. Disinformation portraying Uganda’s opposition as fractured while casting President Museveni’s government as stable is a recurring theme in the country’s political information space.

There is no credible evidence that Mugisha Muntu insulted Bobi Wine or that opposition coalition talks collapsed as reported by Explorer Uganda. For now, opposition parties remain non-committal about alliances, and any substantive breakdown in negotiations would almost certainly be covered by multiple independent and international outlets.