KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has reportedly been forcibly removed from his home by military forces and taken to an undisclosed location, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has said, in a dramatic escalation of tensions surrounding the country’s 2026 general election.
In statements posted on social media, the party said an army helicopter landed in Wine’s compound on Friday before he was flown out by security operatives.
The NUP said the operation occurred after hours of attempted forced entry, during which the residence was plunged into darkness and concerns mounted for Wine’s safety.
“An army helicopter has landed in Bobi Wine’s compound and forcibly taken him away to an unknown destination,” the NUP said.
The party’s account has not been independently verified and government officials, including spokespeople for the military and police, had not issued an official comment by the time of publishing.
The reported removal of Wine comes amid a controversial election process in which incumbent President Yoweri Museveni appears poised to extend his more than four-decade rule.
Provisional results from the Electoral Commission (EC) show Museveni leading with more than 70–75% of the vote, while Bobi Wine trails at roughly 19–21%, according to multiple news reports.
Thursday’s election was marred by numerous disruptions, including an internet shutdown imposed nationwide by authorities, which critics argue was aimed at curbing independent reporting of irregularities.
Technical problems, such as malfunctioning biometric voter verification machines and delayed ballot deliveries, further complicated the voting process.
Wine, a former pop star turned politician who has become the leading face of opposition to Museveni’s long rule, claimed earlier that security forces effectively placed him under house arrest by surrounding his residence and preventing movement in or out.
His party also reported widespread intimidation and alleged abductions of opposition supporters and agents, raising concerns from domestic and international observers about the transparency and fairness of the election.
Also Read: Bobi Wine urges Ugandans to reject provisional election results, calls tally “fake”
The broader election period has seen significant violence. In central Uganda’s Butambala District, at least seven people were killed in clashes between opposition supporters and security forces shortly after polls closed.
Conflicting accounts emerged, with local MPs describing the incident as a “massacre” of supporters and police insisting forces responded to attacks on official facilities.
Human rights groups and international observers have warned that escalating tensions and crackdowns on dissent risk undermining democratic processes and could prompt broader instability in East Africa.
