Ugandan opposition leader and presidential candidate Bobi Wine was “forcibly” removed from his home and flown to an “unknown destination” in an army helicopter, his National Unity Platform (NUP) party announced on Friday, a day after a tense general election marred by an internet blackout and allegations of widespread irregularities.
The NUP made the claim in a social media post, stating that an army helicopter had landed in Wine’s compound in the capital, Kampala, where security forces violently assaulted his private security guards before taking him away.
There was no immediate comment from Ugandan authorities, including the military or police, on the incident.
Reporting from Kampala early Saturday, Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi said the ongoing internet shutdown imposed ahead of Thursday’s vote has severely hampered efforts to confirm Wine’s whereabouts. A National Unity Platform official contacted by Al Jazeera confirmed that “men who appeared to be military and other security agents jumped over the fence” of Wine’s home, but could not verify whether Wine was present at the time or had been removed.
Truth Live News learnt that Al Jazeera has been unable to reach Ugandan military or police officials for comment.
Wine, the country’s leading opposition figure and a popular musician-turned-politician, challenged longtime President Yoweri Museveni in the election. The campaign unfolded amid what the United Nations described as “widespread repression and intimidation” against the opposition.
Shortly after polls closed on Thursday, Wine alleged in a social media post that “massive ballot stuffing” was reported across the country. He also accused authorities of attacking party officials under cover of the internet blackout.
Early vote tallies released by the Electoral Commission showed Museveni leading comfortably, with provisional figures indicating he held a substantial majority over Wine.
The developments have heightened tensions in Uganda, where Wine’s supporters have long accused the government of using security forces to suppress dissent ahead of the vote. Authorities have not responded to the abduction claims, and the blackout continues to limit independent verification of events on the ground.
