Ugandan Police Refutes Abduction Claims of Opposition Leader Bobi Wine

Sat Jan 17 2026 13:15:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Authorities in Uganda deny allegations that opposition leader Bobi Wine was abducted amid ongoing election tensions, claiming he remains at home under restricted movement.

In the midst of a controversial election in Uganda, police have rejected claims that opposition figure Bobi Wine was abducted by helicopter from his home. Wine's camp reported confusion about his whereabouts, with his son initially stating both parents had been taken. Police spokesperson clarified that Wine was still in his residence as they manage security due to heightened tensions. The election results currently indicate a significant lead for incumbent President Museveni, prompting allegations of vote tampering from Wine.

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 both his parents had been seized, but later claimed his father 'escaped' and only his mother was being held, leading to confusion over the whereabouts of the opposition leader.

The latest electoral figures from Thursday's vote give Museveni 72% of the vote, with Wine on 24%, based on returns from 94% of polling stations.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday morning, police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke said the National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader was still in his home in Kampala and that it was Wine's family members who were spreading 'untrue' and 'unfounded' claims.

He stated that Wine's movements were restricted because his home was an area of 'security interest'.

'We have controlled access to areas which are security hotspots,' Uganda's Daily Monitor quoted him as saying. 'We cannot allow people to use some places to gather and cause chaos. All our actions are intended to prevent anybody from creating violence or destabilising our security.'

On Friday, Wine had told his supporters to ignore the 'fake results' that have been announced, claiming authorities have been 'stealing the vote'. He did not provide any evidence for his claims and the authorities have not responded to these allegations.

Wine's son Solomon Kampala, who has been posting updates on social media, admitted he was receiving conflicting reports about the security situation at his parents' home.

'Amidst the raid my father was able to escape, my mother is still currently under arrest, still nobody is allowed to enter the house,' he posted on X on Saturday morning.

Restricted internet access has hindered information verification in the country, with reports emerging that at least seven opposition supporters were killed in disputed circumstances in Butambala during the voting on Thursday.

The US embassy later issued an alert to its citizens due to reports of security forces using tear gas and firing into the air to disperse gatherings.