Uganda Police Refute Allegations of Opposition Leader Abduction

Sat Jan 17 2026 12:46:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a controversial election aftermath, Uganda's police have denied claims that opposition leader Bobi Wine was abducted amid an ongoing vote counting process, sheltering him from the public and media scrutiny.

Ugandan police have denied accusations that presidential candidate Bobi Wine was abducted following contentious election results. Wine's party claimed he was forcibly taken by a helicopter, while supporters reported conflicting updates regarding his and his mother's status. Authorities maintain that Wine remains at home for security reasons, amidst an internet blackout disrupting communication and verification of allegations.

Police in Uganda have denied allegations that presidential candidate Bobi Wine was abducted on Friday evening as vote counting continues in the East African nation amid an internet blackout.

Wine's party said a helicopter landed in the grounds of his house in the capital, Kampala, and forcibly took him to an unknown location. Initially, Wine's son, Solomon Kampala, stated that both parents had been seized, but later revisions indicated that only his mother was held and that Wine had escaped.

The latest electoral figures from Thursday's vote show President Museveni leading with 72% while Wine trails with 24%, based on returns from 94% of polling stations.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday morning, police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke stated that the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader was still in his home in Kampala, attributing claims about his abduction to family members as untrue and unfounded. The police cited security concerns as the reason for restricting Wine's movements.

Amid continued allegations of electoral fraud by Wine, which he has not substantiated, his son has mentioned conflicting information about the security situation at their home, emphasizing that no one was allowed access.

Access to the internet in Uganda has been challenging, further complicating efforts to verify information. Reports of violence have surged, with at least seven opposition supporters reportedly killed in Butambala on election day.

With President Museveni, 81, seeking a seventh term amid a history of violence against opposition figures, the political climate remains fraught. Wine, 43, positions himself as a voice for the youth, pledging corruption reforms while the government claims stability under Museveni's oversight.

The electoral process has seen delays and issues attributed to an internet blackout, with the electoral chief asserting that counting would not be hindered.