Bobi Wine Escapes Night Raid as Ugandan Security Forces Target Opposition While Vote Counting Underway

Uganda’s opposition leader and National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, says he narrowly escaped an arrest attempt after security forces raided his home in Magere overnight. 

The incident comes amid rising tensions following the disputed presidential election.

In a statement shared on social media, Bobi Wine described how military and police officers stormed his residence, cut electricity, and disabled some CCTV cameras. 

Helicopters reportedly hovered above his home during the operation, heightening fear among his family and neighbours.

Bobi Wine confirmed that he is currently in hiding, while his wife and other family members remain under house arrest. 

He attributed confusion over his whereabouts to the night raid and the ongoing nationwide internet shutdown, which he said led neighbours to mistakenly conclude he had been abducted.

The NUP leader strongly rejected the election results being announced by Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama, describing them as fraudulent. 

He accused security forces of ballot stuffing, militarising the electoral process, and detaining opposition leaders and polling agents.

Bobi Wine also condemned the killing of civilians during protests against the election outcome, emphasising Ugandans’ constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations. 

He said the government is using violence to suppress dissent and intimidate opposition supporters.

He further alleged that NUP candidates across the country are being targeted despite having clear evidence of victory in their constituencies, calling the situation lawless.

Despite the crackdown, Bobi Wine asserted that the opposition will not be silenced, declaring that the will of the Ugandan people will ultimately prevail.