Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was on Friday reportedly forcibly taken by security forces, according to his party, in a dramatic development that unfolded as President Yoweri Museveni appeared headed for a landslide victory in the country’s highly contested presidential election.
The National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Bobi Wine, claimed that heavily armed security personnel surrounded his residence in Magere, Wakiso District, cut off electricity and communication, and later removed him from the compound under unclear circumstances. Party officials said his whereabouts were initially unknown, sparking fear and outrage among supporters.
However, Ugandan police and government officials denied the abduction claims, insisting that Bobi Wine was not under arrest and remained at his home. Authorities accused the opposition of spreading misinformation at a time of heightened political tension.
The incident came as early official election results showed President Museveni opening a commanding lead, putting him on course to secure another term in office and extend his long rule. The vote was conducted amid an internet shutdown, heavy security deployment, and widespread accusations of vote rigging and intimidation from the opposition.
Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned politician, had earlier rejected the election process, alleging massive irregularities and calling on the international community to intervene. His supporters reported harassment, arrests of agents, and violence in several parts of the country during and after voting.
As news of the alleged abduction spread, tensions escalated across Uganda, with opposition supporters expressing fear that the move signaled a broader crackdown on dissent. International observers and foreign missions closely monitored the situation, with some issuing security alerts to their citizens.
While Museveni’s camp maintained that the election was peaceful and credible, the unfolding events surrounding Bobi Wine cast a dark shadow over the process, raising fresh concerns about democracy, human rights, and political freedoms in Uganda.
The situation remains fluid as Ugandans await final results and clarity on the fate and status of the opposition leader.
