Uganda army helicopter forcibly takes Bobi Wine from his home, opposition alleges
Uganda's opposition leader Bobi Wine was forcibly taken from his home in an army helicopter on Friday, January 16, 2026, his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), said. The party stated on X that the helicopter landed at his compound and "forcibly taken him away to an unknown destination," alleging his private security guards were "violently assaulted" in the process. This follows reports of his house arrest earlier, with police surrounding his compound after elections on Thursday, January 15, which were marred by violence, technical glitches, and an internet blackout.
President Yoweri Museveni, seeking a seventh term in office, was leading with 73.7% of votes counted from nearly 81% of ballots, while Wine had 22.7%, according to the Electoral Commission. Final results are due on Saturday, January 17. The election has been widely criticized for repression, with UN rights office noting "widespread repression and intimidation." In the Butambala area, violence escalated; opposition MP Muwanga Kivumbi claimed security forces killed 10 of his campaign agents at his home, firing through a garage door and removing evidence, leaving only a "pool of blood." Local police disputed this, saying a group of opposition "goons" planned to attack a tally centre and police station, resulting in an "unspecified number" killed and 25 arrested for malicious damage.
This election reinforces Museveni's total control over the state and security apparatus since taking power in 1986, with analysts viewing it as a formality. Technical failures included malfunctioning biometric machines and delayed ballot deliveries. For Ugandans and Nigerians following regional politics, this highlights the risks of prolonged rule and suppression of opposition—will this spark renewed protests or entrench Museveni's hold further?