Concerns have mounted over the whereabouts of Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine following claims that he was taken from his home as results from the country’s presidential election continue to emerge.
Wine, who is challenging long-time President Yoweri Museveni for a second time, was reportedly removed from his residence late on Friday. His brother, Fred Nyazi, alleged that security forces surrounded the property before taking Wine and his wife away.
“They surrounded his home and abducted him and his wife last night,” Nyazi said.
Earlier, Wine had taken to social media to say he had been placed under house arrest shortly after voting, accusing security operatives of blocking access to his home.
The Ugandan military has dismissed the allegations, insisting that reports of Wine’s abduction are untrue and aimed at stirring unrest among his supporters.
The New Daily Prime reports the election period has been fraught with tension, heightened by a nationwide internet shutdown imposed by authorities. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said the move was necessary “to mitigate the rapid spread of misinformation”.
Partial results released so far suggest that Museveni is headed for another term in office, with reports indicating he has secured more than 75 percent of the votes.
Wine and his National Unity Platform (NUP) have rejected the emerging results, accusing authorities of widespread irregularities, including ballot stuffing.
Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, is seeking a seventh consecutive term, further extending his nearly 40-year grip on power and cementing his status as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
