Uganda’s Army Denies Bobi Wine Abduction Allegations Amid Tense Election

Uganda’s army has rejected claims that opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was abducted from his home by helicopter as vote counting continued in a presidential election marred by violence, irregularities, and an ongoing internet blackout.

Army spokesman Chris Magezi dismissed the allegations as “baseless and unfounded,” insisting they were designed to incite unrest among Wine’s supporters. Police also denied reports of his arrest, saying he remained at his residence in Magere, Wakiso District. However, access to the area was restricted, and journalists reported difficulty reaching members of his party due to communications disruptions.

Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) had posted on X late Friday that an army helicopter landed at his compound and forcibly removed him to an unknown location. Earlier that day, Wine himself claimed he was under house arrest after security forces surrounded his home following Thursday’s vote. Some accounts from supporters, including a statement attributed to his son, suggested he had escaped a potential arrest attempt while his wife remained confined at home. These reports could not be independently verified amid the blackout and limited access.

Partial tallies released by the Electoral Commission showed President Yoweri Museveni, 81 and in power since 1986, holding a commanding lead with between 73 and 76 percent of the vote, compared to Wine’s 20 to 23 percent. Final results were expected later on January 17. Wine accused the government of massive ballot stuffing and violent attacks on his party officials, allegations that remain unverified but have been echoed by international observers who noted widespread repression.

The election itself was disrupted by technical failures with biometric machines and delayed ballot deliveries in several areas. Reports of violence surfaced, including claims from an opposition MP that security forces killed ten campaign agents at his home in Butambala district early Friday. Other accounts mentioned at least seven deaths overnight, with authorities attributing some of the incidents to clashes involving armed individuals.

The United Nations rights office had previously described the pre-election environment as marked by intimidation and repression against the opposition. The internet blackout, imposed before polls and still in effect, has severely hindered information flow and drawn criticism for undermining transparency. Observers have long viewed the vote as likely to extend Museveni’s four-decade rule, given his tight control over state institutions and the security apparatus.