Uganda's main opposition leader Bobi Wine said on Saturday he had escaped from security forces who tried to take him away by helicopter from his home in Magere, just outside Kampala. This came as vote counting continued in the country's presidential election, with President Yoweri Museveni holding a strong lead. Police and army spokespeople denied any role in an abduction, calling the claims baseless.
Background
President Yoweri Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986, first as a guerrilla leader who took power after a bush war. Now 81 years old, he won his sixth term in the election held on Thursday. Bobi Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi and 43 years old, is a former musician who turned politician. He grew up in poor areas of Kampala and calls himself the 'ghetto president' for his support among young and urban voters.
This election faced problems from the start. An internet blackout started before voting on Thursday and lasted into Saturday, cutting off phone and social media access for many. Biometric machines meant to check voter identities did not work in many places. Ballot papers arrived late in some areas, causing delays. Reports of fights broke out at some polling stations, with opposition supporters saying security forces targeted them.
Wine's National Unity Platform party has long accused the government of unfair tactics. In past elections, Wine ran in 2021 and lost amid similar complaints of fraud and violence. This time, his team said security raided homes of party members. One lawmaker from Wine's party, Muwanga Kivumbi, reported that ten of his campaign agents died after soldiers raided his home in central Uganda's Butambala area.
The United Nations human rights office noted before the vote that opposition faced heavy pressure, including arrests and threats. Analysts say Museveni controls the army, police, and courts, making real change hard. Violence has marked past votes, with dozens killed in 2021 clashes.
Key Details
On Friday night, as votes were still being counted, Wine posted on X, formerly Twitter, that soldiers had forced him from his home by helicopter. He said he was under house arrest earlier that day. His party called it a raid by security forces.
By Saturday morning, Wine said he had escaped and was safe, though details stayed unclear amid the communication cuts. Outside his home, the area looked quiet early Saturday. A local vendor named Prince Jerard, 29, told reporters he heard a drone and helicopter nearby the night before. He saw many security vehicles and said people in the neighborhood left out of fear.
Uganda's army spokesperson Chris Magezi rejected the abduction story.
"The allegations of his supposed abduction are groundless and without merit. They are intended to provoke his supporters into violent actions." – Chris Magezi, army spokesperson
Police also denied arresting Wine or sending soldiers to his home. With over 80 percent of votes counted by Friday evening, the Electoral Commission showed Museveni at 73.7 percent and Wine at 22.7 percent. Final results were due around 1 p.m. GMT on Saturday.
Wine called the numbers 'fake results' and accused officials of stuffing ballot boxes under cover of the internet shutdown. His team said several party officials faced attacks. Independent checks on these claims proved hard because of the blackout and restricted access.
Reports of Violence
At least ten deaths linked to the election came from raids on opposition homes, according to lawmakers like Kivumbi. In other areas, voters waited hours without ballots or machines. Security chased away some observers. One area in eastern Uganda saw clashes where police fired on crowds, injuring several.
What This Means
If Museveni wins, as early numbers suggest, he will stay in power for another five years, reaching 86 by the end of his term. This would mark over 40 years of his rule, matching long-term leaders in places like Zimbabwe or Equatorial Guinea. Young voters, who make up most of Uganda's population, back Wine for his calls to end corruption and create jobs.
The abduction claim adds to tensions. Wine's escape story, if true, shows how tight security watches opposition leaders. Denials from police point to a plan to calm fears of unrest. Past elections saw riots in Kampala after results, with internet cuts used to limit spread of anger.
Opposition now faces choices. Wine could reject results and call protests, risking crackdowns. Courts have not overturned past votes. International watchers urge calm but note the uneven field. Uganda's economy struggles with debt and youth joblessness, making stability key for Museveni but change desired by many.
The internet blackout limits information flow. Party members could not be reached easily on Saturday. Vendors and locals stay wary, avoiding crowds. Final results will test if the vote process holds up or sparks wider trouble. Security stays high around counting centers and opposition sites. For now, both sides watch and wait as numbers come in.
