The Ugandan opposition chief Bobi Wine was taken from his home and delivered to an unknown location on Friday, his celebration stated as President Yoweri Museveni closed in on a landslide re-election.
Wine’s Nationwide Unity Platform celebration stated on Friday night in a publish on X that a military helicopter had landed in his compound within the capital, Kampala, and “forcibly taken him away to an unknown vacation spot”.
The declare couldn’t be instantly verified, and a few senior celebration officers stated they didn’t have affirmation. Spokespeople for Uganda’s authorities and army didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark from Reuters.
Wine has alleged mass fraud throughout Thursday’s election, which was held beneath an web blackout, and referred to as on supporters to protest. His celebration stated on Thursday he had been positioned beneath efficient home arrest.
A senior member of the Ugandan opposition earlier stated safety forces stormed his home early on Friday morning and shot lifeless 10 members of his marketing campaign crew.
The NUP’s Muwanga Kivumbi informed Reuters the incident occurred at about 3am native time when safety forces “broke the entrance door and commenced taking pictures” inside a storage the place the folks had been ready for the outcomes of the election for his parliamentary seat to be introduced. “It was a bloodbath,” he stated.
Lydia Tumushabe, an area police spokesperson, stated she was unaware of an incident at Kivumbi’s home, which she stated was near the police station.
She stated machete-wielding opposition “goons” organised by Kivumbi had attacked a police station and vote-tallying centre, forcing safety personnel to shoot in self-defence.
Tumushabe informed Agence France-Presse that “an unspecified quantity” of individuals had been “put out of motion” and that 25 others had been arrested.
Kivumbi stated safety forces had earlier dispersed crowds outdoors however disputed the police’s assertion that the deaths occurred throughout clashes between the 2 sides.
He stated he was “emotionally damaged” by the assault, which occurred after a whole bunch of his supporters had gathered at his home after voting ended.
Many fled as safety forces stormed the compound, however officers fired by the door of the storage, the place 10 marketing campaign brokers had been hiding, his spouse, Zahara Nampewo, a legislation professor, stated.
“I used to be very shaken personally,” she stated. “Seeing contemporary our bodies. I imply, that’s one thing that can’t simply go away.”
The military later got here to remove the our bodies, the couple stated.
Wine condemned the incident and referred to as on Ugandans to reply. “The felony regime in its night, has gone insane. This madness must be met with RESISTANCE,” he posted on X.
Wine has alleged mass fraud throughout the election, which was held beneath an web blackout that authorities stated was wanted to stop “misinformation”, and he referred to as on supporters to protest.
Late on Thursday, his celebration wrote on X that the army and police had surrounded his home in Kampala, “successfully inserting him beneath home arrest”.
Kituuma Rusoke, a nationwide police spokesperson, stated he was not conscious of Wine being positioned beneath home arrest.
Wine, 43, whose actual title is Robert Kyagulanyi, has emerged as the primary challenger to Museveni lately. The previous singer types himself the “ghetto president” after the casual settlements of Kampala the place he grew up.
After a marketing campaign marred by clashes at opposition rallies and what the UN stated was widespread repression and intimidation, voting handed peacefully on Thursday.
Analysts have lengthy seen the election’s end result as a formality. Museveni, a former guerrilla fighter who seized energy in 1986, has complete management over the state and safety equipment and has ruthlessly crushed any challenger throughout his rule. He informed reporters after casting his poll on Thursday that he anticipated to win with 80% of the vote if there was “no dishonest”.
As of Friday night, Museveni held a commanding lead with practically 74% of the vote, the electoral fee stated. Wine trailed with 23% and the remaining votes had been cut up amongst six different candidates. Ultimate outcomes are due by 0200 GMT on Saturday.
Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
