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Uganda’s military on Saturday rejected opposition claims that leader Bobi Wine had been abducted from his home, as vote counting continued in a tense election marked by violence allegations and an ongoing nationwide internet shutdown.
The army said reports that Wine had been taken by security forces were false. Hours after his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP) alleged he was removed from his residence by helicopter.
“The rumours of his so-called arrest are baseless and unfounded,” army spokesperson Chris Magezi said, adding that the claims were intended to “incite his supporters into acts of violence.”
Wine said on Friday that he was under house arrest following Thursday’s vote.
“Meanwhile, yesterday, after casting my ballot, the military deployed all around my home in order to place me under house arrest. These criminals even jumped over the fence and entered our compound. My house is still besieged – no one allowed to come in or go out,” Wine wrote on X.
“This ain’t strength. They do this out of fear for the people they have offended by committing so many atrocities against them. They do this because they are afraid of the people’s reaction after stealing their vote.”
His party later posted on social media that he had been “forcibly taken” from his compound.
Those claims could not be independently verified, but AFP journalists found the area around Wine’s home calm early Saturday, though communication with party officials remained difficult due to continued restrictions on internet and phone services.
A nearby shopkeeper, Prince Jerard, said he heard a drone and a helicopter at the home the previous night, with a heavy security presence.
“Many people have left (the area),” Jerard said. “We have a lot of fear.”
With more than 80 per cent of ballots counted, the Electoral Commission said President Yoweri Museveni held a decisive lead, with about 73.7 per cent of the vote compared with roughly 23 per cent for Wine.
The final results were due on Saturday at approximately 1300 GMT.
