Uganda police have denied reports that opposition leader Bobi Wine was taken away by helicopter from his home in Magere. The denial comes one day after the country's presidential election on January 15, 2026, as initial vote counts show President Yoweri Museveni far ahead of Wine and other candidates. Tensions are high with protests reported and Wine's team rejecting the numbers.
Background
Uganda held presidential and parliamentary elections on Thursday, January 15. More than 21 million people were registered to vote for the president and 353 members of parliament. President Museveni, who has led the country since 1986, ran for a seventh term under the National Resistance Movement party. His main challenger was Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, a former musician turned politician leading the National Unity Platform.
Voting took place across the country, including in the capital Kampala. Officials said the day was mostly calm, though some problems arose at polling stations. Ballot bags were sealed and sent to tally centers after polls closed. By Friday morning, the Electoral Commission started releasing results in batches from thousands of polling stations.
This election follows a pattern of close contests and disputes. In 2021, Museveni won with about 59% of the vote against Wine's 35%. Both sides made promises on jobs, health care, and security. But reports of violence before the vote raised fears of trouble during counting.
Key Details
On Friday, January 16, Electoral Commission chair Simon Byabakama announced the third batch of results at the National Tally Center in Kampala. With votes from about 7.7 million ballots tallied, Museveni had 75.38% of the count. Bobi Wine stood at 20.71%, with the rest split among six other candidates. Later updates showed Museveni at 76.25% from over 22,000 polling stations, with Wine at 19.85% or around 1.3 million votes.
Byabakama said the tallied votes came from a large part of the country but did not give the total number cast. He noted that a candidate needs more than 50% to win outright. Invalid votes made up about 2-3% of the total so far. He asked people to stay calm as counting continues, with final results due by Saturday.
Reports of Trouble Around Bobi Wine
As results came out, trouble brewed at Wine's home. Supporters gathered to protest the early numbers. Security forces moved in, and reports spread that Wine was taken away by helicopter. Police quickly denied this. They said no abduction happened and that forces were there to keep order after protests turned violent.
Witnesses described security teams surrounding the house. Some said shots were fired, and at least seven protesters died overnight from January 15 to 16. Wine's camp called the results fake and said the vote was rigged. Police said they placed Wine under house arrest for his safety amid the unrest.
"The election day was largely calm, with only a few incidents reported. We urge the public to remain calm as results continue to be collated nationwide." – Simon Byabakama, Electoral Commission Chairperson
Other candidates trailed far behind. For example, one got 0.30% and another 0.27%. Counting went on into the night at centers across Uganda.
What This Means
Museveni's strong early lead points to another term if the trend holds. His party has controlled parliament for years, and this could strengthen that hold. Over 21 million voters took part, but turnout numbers are not yet clear. A win over 50% would avoid a runoff.
For Bobi Wine, the results and security actions spell trouble. His supporters see the vote as unfair, leading to street protests. Deaths during unrest add to anger. House arrest limits his ability to respond, and claims of abduction, even if denied, fuel distrust.
The economy faces high youth unemployment, which Wine targeted in his campaign. Museveni points to stability and growth under his rule. International watchers note violence before the vote, including arrests of opposition figures.
If final results confirm the lead, Museveni stays in power until 2031. But disputes could spark more protests or court cases. Police presence is heavy in Kampala and other cities. Businesses closed early on Friday as people waited for news.
Parliamentary races also matter. Parties compete for 353 seats, with independents possible. Early tallies suggest Museveni's group holds an edge there too. Wine's National Unity Platform hopes to gain ground despite the presidential gap.
Uganda's place in East Africa depends on a smooth end to the vote. Neighbors watch closely, as unrest could affect trade and borders. The Electoral Commission pushes for patience, but emotions run high on all sides.
Counting wrapped up late Friday in many areas. Trucks brought more ballot boxes to Kampala overnight. By early Saturday, almost 70% of stations reported in some updates, keeping Museveni ahead at around 73-76%. Wine's share stayed under 20%. No major delays were reported, though internet blackouts in some spots slowed live updates.
Police repeated their denial of the helicopter claim in statements to reporters. They said Wine is safe at home and security is routine. His lawyers plan to challenge any restrictions. Protesters vowed to keep going if results do not change.
The coming hours will show if the lead holds. With over 5 million valid votes tallied already, the picture is clear but not final. Uganda waits.
