Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine yesterday said that the military had entered and “taken control” of his home and “we are in serious trouble”, while the country waited for election results amid a government-ordered internet blackout.
Mr Wine tweeted just hours after he alleged that Thursday’s election was rigged and said “every legal option is on the table” to challenge the official results, including peaceful protests. He referred to himself as the “president-elect”.
“None of these military intruders is talking to us. We are in serious trouble. We are under siege,” tweeted Mr Wine, who was arrested several times during campaigning but never charged, while dozens of party members were detained. This month he petitioned the International Criminal Court over alleged abuses by security forces.
Reached by phone, military spokeswoman Flavia Byekwaso said: “It’s not true. We only have a presence of soldiers in the general area of Magere.” Magere is the village where Mr Wine, who has recently spoken of fearing for his life, lives. Ms Byekwaso denied that soldiers had forced their way into his home.
Uganda’s electoral commission said longtime President Yoweri Museveni leads Mr Wine and other candidates based on results from roughly half of polling stations, receiving 62pc of ballots while Mr Wine had 29pc. It said final results will be declared today.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Wine, a popular singer-turned-lawmaker who is half the president’s age, alleged to reporters that “whatever is being declared is a total sham”. At the time, there was a heavy police presence near his home.
The electoral commission, which said it was “not competent” to comment on the military’s actions, said Mr Wine should prove his allegations of rigging. The 38-year-old said he would provide video evidence of pre-ticked ballots and other irregularities once internet access in Uganda is restored.
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