Uganda's Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Accused of Kidnapping in Army Raid
The Ugandan army has denied allegations that it seized opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, from his home on Saturday. Wine had claimed to be under house arrest, but the army says this is "baseless and unfounded". The opposition leader had accused the government of "massive ballot stuffing" in the presidential election, which has been marred by reports of at least 10 deaths amid an internet blackout.
As polls close, President Yoweri Museveni appears set to extend his 40-year rule with a commanding lead against Wine. With over 80% of votes counted on Friday, Museveni was leading on 73.7%, while Wine trailed behind on 22.7%. The opposition has accused the government of intimidation and violence, including the killing of campaign agents.
Eyewitnesses claim to have seen a drone and helicopter hovering over Wine's residence in the hours leading up to his alleged "arrest". Despite this, the situation remains calm outside his home, with many residents fearing for their safety. The army has accused Wine's supporters of attempting to incite violence, but the opposition denies these allegations.
The UN rights office had previously warned that the election was taking place in an environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation against the opposition. Analysts have long viewed this election as a formality, given Museveni's total control over the state and security apparatus.
Reports of violence and intimidation against the opposition have emerged throughout the country, with at least 10 campaign agents killed by security forces. The opposition party has accused the government of "massive ballot stuffing" in the polls, which were marred by technical problems and internet blackouts.
The Ugandan army has denied allegations that it seized opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, from his home on Saturday. Wine had claimed to be under house arrest, but the army says this is "baseless and unfounded". The opposition leader had accused the government of "massive ballot stuffing" in the presidential election, which has been marred by reports of at least 10 deaths amid an internet blackout.
As polls close, President Yoweri Museveni appears set to extend his 40-year rule with a commanding lead against Wine. With over 80% of votes counted on Friday, Museveni was leading on 73.7%, while Wine trailed behind on 22.7%. The opposition has accused the government of intimidation and violence, including the killing of campaign agents.
Eyewitnesses claim to have seen a drone and helicopter hovering over Wine's residence in the hours leading up to his alleged "arrest". Despite this, the situation remains calm outside his home, with many residents fearing for their safety. The army has accused Wine's supporters of attempting to incite violence, but the opposition denies these allegations.
The UN rights office had previously warned that the election was taking place in an environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation against the opposition. Analysts have long viewed this election as a formality, given Museveni's total control over the state and security apparatus.
Reports of violence and intimidation against the opposition have emerged throughout the country, with at least 10 campaign agents killed by security forces. The opposition party has accused the government of "massive ballot stuffing" in the polls, which were marred by technical problems and internet blackouts.
... i was following this election closely with my friends back home and it sounds like things are getting super intense 
. 40 years of rule is a long time, but you gotta respect the people wanting change, right? 
the thing that gets me is how the UN had warned about repression and intimidation, but it seems like not enough was done to stop it... or was it just too late? 
anyway, i'm keeping my fingers crossed for Bobi Wine's supporters and all those affected by this election 
This is getting too intense... I'm worried about Bobi Wine's safety 
. It's not cool that the army is denying his claims and accusing his supporters of inciting violence 
. The UN had already warned about this kind of repression and intimidation, but it seems like no one's listening 
. I just want a fair election where everyone can cast their vote without fear of violence or repercussions 
. It's not too much to ask, right? 
President Museveni's rule is already long enough - when will it be his last term? 
. Bobi Wine is just trying to do his job as an opposition leader and now he's being accused of kidnapping by the government? That's some serious shady stuff 
. I mean, I get it, Museveni has been in power for a long time, but come on, a 40-year rule? That's just too much 
. And what's with all these allegations of ballot stuffing and intimidation? It's like the government is trying to rig the whole thing 
. The UN rights office said it was already warning about this environment... how did we not do anything about it? 
he's been speaking out against the election rigging and now they're accusing him of being kidnapped? 
i'm sending all my positive vibes to him and his supporters, stay strong guys 
i mean, 40 yrs of rule is no joke, but how can u expect ppl to trust the system? 
The army knows as well as we do that this whole thing is rigged, but they're too scared to say anything. Museveni's been in power for 40 years and he's not about to let some young upstart like Wine take him down without putting on the full military might... it's just not gonna happen! 
And those 10 deaths? Yeah, that's just a sad commentary on how elections have become in Uganda. We need to be keeping an eye on this situation, folks!
. And now there's reports of violence and intimidation against the opposition it's like they're trying to silence anyone who dares to question the system 
. Bobi Wine's house raid? That doesn't add up. I mean, who just flies in a drone and helicopter to "arrest" someone? It looks like they're trying to stage a coup or cover their tracks. The government's denying it, but the evidence is there for us to see 
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and I'm keeping an eye on it for sure 
.
. And those reports of violence and intimidation against campaign agents? It's just not right. The whole situation feels like a recipe for disaster, especially with the internet blackout and all 
. I hope the international community's takin' notice and puts some pressure on Museveni to let this election be fair and free 
, and now they're sayin it's all just a big misunderstanding 
it's like a bad script that always ends with one guy staying in power for way too long 
40 years is just too long, it's time for some change 
