Ugandan authorities have officially refuted claims regarding the detention of prominent opposition figure Bobi Wine during the highly charged electoral period. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke characterized reports of the arrest as “deceitful and inciteful” while confirming that security measures had been implemented around the opposition leader’s residence to prevent potential violence incitement.
The general elections conducted on Thursday occurred under extraordinary circumstances, featuring a nationwide internet blackout extending into its fourth day and substantial military deployment across the country. Isolated incidents of violence emerged as citizens protested parliamentary election outcomes in various regions.
Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, aged 81 and pursuing an unprecedented seventh term, maintains a commanding lead in provisional results with over 70% of counted votes. His primary challenger, musician-turned-politician Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (popularly known as Bobi Wine), has secured approximately 20% of the vote according to initial tallies. Wine has vehemently dismissed these results as “fabricated” and urged his supporters to disregard the announced figures.
Electoral officials are constitutionally mandated to announce final presidential results by Saturday’s conclusion. The electoral commission chairperson confirmed plans to meet this deadline despite operational challenges that plagued the voting process, including delayed delivery of materials to polling stations and technical failures of biometric verification systems.
President Museveni endorsed the commission’s decision to utilize paper-based voter registration records as an alternative to malfunctioning digital systems. However, Wine’s campaign has alleged systematic electoral manipulation, citing instances of “massive ballot stuffing” and the abduction of party polling agents to create unfair advantages for the ruling party.
The election period has been marked by intense security presence, with opposition figures reporting constant surveillance and harassment of supporters. Wine notably campaigned wearing protective gear including a flak jacket and helmet due to security concerns. Uganda continues to await the final election announcement while maintaining its historical pattern of never experiencing peaceful presidential power transition since gaining independence six decades ago.