Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine says he narrowly escaped a police and army raid on his home just hours before veteran President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of a highly disputed presidential election, extending his decades-long grip on power.
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, made the claim on Saturday in a post on social media, describing an overnight security operation that he said forced him into hiding.
“I want to confirm that I managed to escape from them,” Bobi Wine wrote. “Currently, I am not at home, although my wife and other family members remain under house arrest.”
The opposition leader said security forces were actively searching for him and that he was taking steps to ensure his safety.
Claims of House Arrest and Military Involvement
The incident followed Bobi Wine’s statement on Friday that security forces had surrounded and confined him to his home. His party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), later claimed he had been “forcibly taken” from his residence by an army helicopter.
Uganda’s military swiftly rejected those allegations, denying any involvement in abducting the opposition leader.
In a subsequent post, Bobi Wine clarified that reports of his abduction likely stemmed from authorities blocking access to his home, combined with what he described as overnight “commotion” that alarmed neighbours.
Despite this, he said his wife, Barbara Kyagulanyi, and other relatives remained under house arrest.
Museveni Declared Winner Amid Allegations of Fraud
Uganda’s election commission on Saturday declared Museveni, 81, the winner of the presidential race, extending his rule to nearly 40 years. The announcement came amid widespread allegations of vote rigging, ballot stuffing, and intimidation of opposition supporters.
The United Nations has said the election campaign was marred by “widespread repression and intimidation”, with reports of harassment targeting opposition candidates, civil society groups and journalists.
Human rights organisations and local monitors have also reported at least 10 deaths linked to election-related violence in the days surrounding the vote.
Bobi Wine Rejects ‘Fake Results’
Bobi Wine, who has emerged as the most prominent challenger to Museveni in recent years, has flatly rejected the election outcome, calling it fraudulent and illegitimate.
“I completely reject the fake results announced by the head of the electoral commission,” he said, alleging systematic ballot stuffing and the detention of senior members of his party.
He accused authorities of using intimidation, arbitrary arrests and other tactics to undermine the will of voters.
“Aside from the blatant theft of the presidential election, these criminals have employed various fraudulent techniques to usurp the will of the people,” Bobi Wine wrote.
Longstanding Tensions Between Opposition and State
The disputed election underscores longstanding tensions in Uganda’s political landscape, where Museveni has ruled since 1986 and where opposition figures have repeatedly accused the government of suppressing dissent.
Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned politician, has faced multiple arrests, beatings, and restrictions on movement since entering politics. His rise has energised younger voters but also drawn intense scrutiny from security forces.
Observers say the latest events highlight deep concerns about democratic space, rule of law, and political freedoms in the East African nation.
Uncertain Path Ahead
As Museveni begins another term, opposition leaders and civil society groups are calling for independent investigations into the conduct of the election and the treatment of opposition figures.
For now, Bobi Wine says his priority is staying safe while continuing to speak out against what he calls an illegitimate result.
“I know that these criminals are looking for me everywhere,” he wrote. “I am trying my best to keep safe.”
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