## Bobi Wine Reportedly Removed From Home Following Tense Ugandan election
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has been “forcibly” removed from his home by individuals believed to be security forces, his political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), announced on Friday [[1]]. Wine was taken to an “unknown destination” via army helicopter, according to the NUP, just a day after Uganda held a presidential election marked by an internet blackout and widespread concerns over irregularities.
The removal occured amidst a climate of heightened tension following Thursday’s vote, which saw incumbent President Yoweri Museveni take an early lead in the count. As of Friday, Museveni had secured 73.7 percent of the vote to Wine’s 22.7 percent, with approximately 81 percent of ballots tallied [[1]]. Final results are expected on Saturday afternoon local time.
The Ugandan government has yet to comment on the reports of Wine’s detention. Information regarding his whereabouts remains limited due to the ongoing internet shutdown, which has severely restricted dialog and access to information [[1]].
An NUP official, speaking to 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 confirm whether Wine was present at the time of the incident [[1]]. Attempts to reach ugandan military and police for comment have been unsuccessful.Wine had previously alleged “massive ballot stuffing” across the country in a social media post, urging Ugandans to “rise to the occasion and reject the criminal regime” [[1]]. The election campaign was widely criticized by the United Nations for “widespread repression and intimidation” [[1]].
The period following the vote has also been marred by violence.At least seven people were killed overnight in Butambala, approximately 55km southwest of Kampala, following clashes between opposition supporters and security forces [[1]]. Local police claim machete-wielding opposition supporters attacked a police station and vote-tallying center, while opposition MP Muwanga Kivumbi alleges that security forces attacked opposition supporters gathered at his home, claiming ten people were killed [[1]].
museveni, 81, is seeking to extend his nearly four-decade rule, having expressed confidence in securing 80 percent of the vote prior to the election. The ongoing situation raises serious concerns about the future of Uganda’s democracy and the safety of opposition figures.
