Uncertainty has surrounded the whereabouts of Bobi Wine, Uganda’s leading opposition figure, amid allegations that he was abducted from his home as results from the country’s presidential election trickle in.
Wine, who is contesting the presidency for a second time against long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, was reportedly taken away late on Friday.
Fred Nyazi, his brother, said security operatives besieged the residence before whisking Wine and his wife away.
“They surrounded his home and abducted him and his wife last night,” Nyazi said.
Earlier, Wine had posted on social media that he was placed under house arrest shortly after casting his vote, alleging that security forces had sealed off his residence.
The Ugandan military has, however, denied the claims, describing reports of Wine’s abduction as false and intended to incite unrest among his supporters.
The election has been marked by heightened tension, particularly after authorities shut down internet access across the country.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said the decision was taken “to mitigate the rapid spread of misinformation”.
Preliminary results indicate that Museveni is on course to extend his nearly four-decade rule, with over 75 percent of the votes reportedly in his favour.
Wine and his National Unity Platform (NUP) have rejected the outcome, alleging widespread electoral malpractice, including ballot stuffing.
Museveni, who is seeking a seventh consecutive term, has been ruling Uganda since 1986 and is one of Africa’s longest serving leaders.
