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Bobi Wine reports fleeing house arrest as election results loom
Uganda's opposition leader Bobi Wine announced early Saturday he had escaped a nighttime raid by security forces at his Kampala home, contradicting police claims that he remained under house arrest. The final results of Thursday's presidential election are expected within hours.
Conflicting accounts of Wine's detention
Wine's National Unity Platform (NUP) party initially reported that a helicopter had landed in his compound Friday night, forcibly removing him to an undisclosed location. In a Facebook statement posted just after midday (09:00 GMT), Wine confirmed security forces had raided his Magere residence, cutting power and disabling CCTV cameras. He wrote: "I managed to escape from them. Currently, I am not at home, although my wife and other family members remain under house arrest."
Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke denied the abduction claims, telling reporters Saturday that Wine was still at his home, which had been designated a "security hotspot." Rusoke accused Wine's family of spreading "unfounded" rumors, stating authorities had restricted access to prevent gatherings that could "cause chaos."
Museveni leads as opposition cries foul
With 94% of polling stations reporting, incumbent President Yoweri Museveni holds a commanding lead with 72% of the vote, while Wine trails at 24%. The 81-year-old Museveni, who seized power in 1986, is poised to secure a seventh term. Wine, a 43-year-old former pop star, has rejected the results as "fake" and accused authorities of ballot stuffing, though he has not provided evidence. Officials have not responded to the allegations.
Election chief Simon Byabakama said Friday that vote counting proceeded normally despite delays and technical issues at polling stations. Final results are expected before 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT) Saturday.
Violence and internet blackout mar election
The campaign period was marked by clashes, with Wine reporting at least 18 deaths-seven in Butambala district Thursday night and 11 elsewhere. The U.S. Embassy warned citizens Friday about security forces using tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds.
Uganda's Communications Commission cut internet access Tuesday, citing the need to prevent misinformation and violence. The UN human rights office condemned the shutdown as "deeply worrying." Wine, in a video message, demanded the internet be restored and called on Ugandans to "non-violently protest" the "fake results."
Delayed voting and technical failures
Voting on Thursday was disrupted by delays of up to four hours in many areas, as ballot boxes arrived late and biometric voter verification machines malfunctioned. Some observers linked the issues to the internet blackout, though election officials denied any impact on the count.
Stakes in Uganda's two-horse race
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for 40 years, frames himself as the sole guarantor of stability in a country with a history of conflict. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, positions himself as a champion of Uganda's youth-70% of the population is under 30-and has pledged to combat corruption and enact sweeping reforms.
Despite six other candidates, the election has effectively become a referendum on Museveni's decades-long rule. Wine's campaign was repeatedly disrupted by security forces, who detained his supporters and blocked rallies. Police dismissed the complaints, accusing opposition backers of provoking unrest.
