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 to win 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 stated they lacked verification. Reuters reported that spokespeople for the Ugandan government and military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The alleged incident occurred hours after Wine claimed that security forces killed 10 of his campaigners. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Wine, a musician-turned-politician, has emerged as Museveni's main challenger in the election. He has garnered significant support, particularly among younger Ugandans, by campaigning on issues of economic inequality and government corruption. Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking a sixth term.
The election has been marred by violence and allegations of fraud. Wine has repeatedly accused the government of using security forces to intimidate and suppress his supporters. The government has denied these allegations, stating that it is acting to maintain law and order.
Uganda's electoral commission is expected to announce the final results of the election in the coming days. The outcome of the election and the events surrounding Wine's alleged detention could have significant implications for the country's political stability. The United States and the European Union have called for a transparent and credible election process. International observers are monitoring the situation.
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