Uganda’s military has denied claims that opposition leader Bobi Wine was seized from his home, as vote counting continued in a tense election marked by violence and an internet shutdown.
The denial came on Saturday as President Yoweri Museveni appeared set to win the presidential election and extend his decades-long stay in power.
Bobi Wine, a former musician turned politician, had earlier said he was under house arrest. His party later claimed on social media that he had been “forcibly taken” from his residence by an army helicopter.
However, the Ugandan army dismissed the claim.
“The rumours of his so-called arrest are baseless and unfounded,” army spokesman Chris Magezi told AFP.
He added that the reports were “designed to incite his supporters into acts of violence.”
AFP journalists who visited the area around Wine’s home on Saturday morning reported that the situation was calm, although communication with members of his party remained difficult due to ongoing internet disruptions.
A nearby trader, 29-year-old Prince Jerard, said there was heavy security around the residence the previous night.
“I heard a drone and a helicopter,” he said. “Many people have left the area. We have a lot of fear.”
With more than 80 per cent of votes counted by Friday, the Electoral Commission said Museveni was leading with 73.7 per cent, while Wine had 22.7 per cent.
Final results were expected later on Saturday.
Museveni, 81, has ruled Uganda since 1986 and is seeking to extend his rule to about 40 years.
Wine, 43, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has emerged as Museveni’s strongest challenger in recent years. He often refers to himself as the “ghetto president,” a reference to his upbringing in poor areas of Kampala.
He has accused the government of “massive ballot stuffing” and attacks on members of his party, allegations he said were carried out during the internet blackout imposed before Thursday’s election.
While the claims could not be independently confirmed, the United Nations human rights office said last week that the elections were being held in an environment of “widespread repression and intimidation” against the opposition.
Election day was also affected by technical challenges, as biometric machines used to verify voters failed in several locations, while ballot papers arrived late in many areas.
There were also reports of violence targeting opposition supporters.
Muwanga Kivumbi, a lawmaker from Wine’s party representing Butambala in central Uganda, told AFP that security forces had killed 10 of his campaign agents after raiding his home.
Analysts have largely described the election as a formality, citing Museveni’s firm control of state institutions and security forces over the years.
