Bobi Wine Hides, Claims Police Raid as Museveni Set to Extend Rule

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine announced on Saturday that he had escaped a police raid on his home and was in hiding, as the country awaited the results of a contentious presidential election held under an internet blackout.

With more than 90% of votes counted, 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni held a strong lead and was poised to extend his four-decade rule. Election officials said Museveni had 71.9% of the vote to Wine’s 24.5%.

In a post on X, Wine said he was not at home and that his wife and family members remained under house arrest. “I know that these criminals are looking for me everywhere,” he wrote.

A heavy security presence remained around the capital, Kampala, as authorities sought to prevent protests. Police acknowledged restricting access to areas they considered “security hotspots,” but said they were not targeting Wine directly.

African election observers, including former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, said they saw no evidence of ballot-stuffing, but expressed concern over reports of intimidation, arrests, and abductions of opposition members and civil society representatives. They also criticized the internet shutdown for disrupting observation and heightening public suspicion.

The election has been marred by reports of violence. An opposition lawmaker claimed security forces killed 10 campaign agents in Butambala, while police said an unspecified number of people were “put out of action” while allegedly trying to attack a tally center.