Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was allegedly taken from his residence by the army on Friday, according to his National Unity Platform (NUP) party, as President Yoweri Museveni appeared poised for re-election. The NUP stated in a post on X that an army helicopter landed at Wine's compound in Kampala and forcibly transported him to an undisclosed location.
Confirmation of the NUP's claim was not immediately available, and some senior party officials indicated they lacked verification. Reuters reported that spokespeople for the Ugandan government and military did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The alleged abduction occurred hours after Wine claimed that security forces killed 10 of his campaigners.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has emerged as a significant challenger to Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. The election has been marred by accusations of fraud and violence. Wine has repeatedly alleged widespread irregularities and voter intimidation.
The election took place on Thursday, with results expected to be announced in the coming days. Museveni's government has defended its actions, stating that security measures were necessary to maintain order during the election period. The government has also denied allegations of rigging the vote.
The United States and the European Union have expressed concerns about the credibility of the election and have called for transparency and accountability. Observers have noted restrictions on media access and the internet shutdown that occurred prior to the election.
The current status of Wine's whereabouts remains unknown. The NUP has called for his immediate release and has urged the international community to intervene. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the vote counting continues and official results are released.
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