Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was placed under house arrest on Friday, a day after elections in which early results showed President Yoweri Museveni leading by a wide margin as he seeks to extend his 40-year rule.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has faced accusations of harshly suppressing opposition ahead of the vote. His government also imposed an internet blackout earlier this week. With about a quarter of votes counted, the Electoral Commission reported Museveni at 76.25 per cent and Wine at 19.85 per cent.
Thursday’s voting was marred by technical issues, including malfunctioning biometric machines and delayed delivery of ballots in several areas. The final results of the presidential and parliamentary elections are expected by 0200 GMT on Saturday.
Observers say the election outcome was largely predictable, given Museveni’s firm control over the state and security apparatus. The 81-year-old former guerrilla fighter has historically sidelined challengers during his four decades in power.
Wine, 43, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has emerged as Museveni’s main challenger in recent years. The former singer, who grew up in the slums of Kampala, calls himself the “ghetto president.”
“The military and police have surrounded the residence of President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, effectively placing him and his wife under house arrest,” his party, the National Unity Platform, said on X late Thursday. “Security officers have unlawfully jumped over the perimeter fence and are now erecting tents within his compound.”
AFP journalists who visited Wine’s residence on Friday described the compound as outwardly calm, though a military vehicle and several police officers were stationed outside. Security forces were heavily deployed across the country on election day.
The United Nations rights office warned last week that the elections were being held amid “widespread repression and intimidation” of opposition figures. Wine also accused the government of “massive ballot stuffing” and targeting party officials during the internet blackout, though these claims could not be independently verified.