Uganda's military chief denies army assaulted Bobi Wine's wife

Ugandan police arrested Muwanga Kivumbi, an MP and ally of opposition leader Bobi Wine, for allegedly organizing election-related violence following last week's elections. Police accuse Kivumbi of orchestrating attacks on a police station and vote-tallying center after the electoral loss. Kivumbi claims ten people were killed at his home while awaiting election results, a different account from the police who say seven died. The arrest follows tensions after President Yoweri Museveni's re-election for a seventh term, which Wine has denounced as fraudulent. Museveni warned opposition figures, including Kivumbi, of planned attacks on polling stations. Dozens of youths have been arrested in Kampala for election-related incidents.

Following Uganda's disputed presidential election on January 20, 2026, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of re-elected President Yoweri Museveni, threatened opposition leader Bobi Wine, who has been in hiding since the election. Kainerugaba accused Wine, who finished second in the election, of being a "terrorist" and threatened his life on social media, demanding Wine surrender to police within 48 hours or be treated as a rebel. Wine, in turn, criticized Kainerugaba's threats and claimed evidence of election fraud, alleging ballot stuffing in favor of Museveni. Wine also stated that his family was unsafe and demanded the military vacate his compound. The Ugandan army has denied accusations of raiding Wine's home.

Following his victory in Uganda's presidential election, Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, labeled the opposition, particularly Bobi Wine's National Unity Platform (NUP), as "terrorists" for allegedly attempting to use violence to overturn the results. Museveni won a seventh term with 72% of the vote, though the election was criticized by observers for repression and an internet blackout. Wine, who received 25% of the vote, denounced the election as stolen and his whereabouts were briefly uncertain. The government blocked the internet before the vote to prevent misinformation and maintains a ban on social media. While Uganda has remained largely peaceful, there were small protests in Kampala, and security forces have been present.

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine's wife, Barbara Kyagulanyi, was hospitalized after soldiers raided their home in the Magere suburb of Kampala on Saturday. Wine, who is in hiding after escaping a previous raid, reported that soldiers broke down doors and assaulted staff. Kyagulanyi, known as Barbie, filmed the intrusion, posting the video on X. Wine alleges that his wife was partially undressed and choked during the incident. The raid occurred after the January 15th presidential election where incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner, a result Wine rejects, citing widespread fraud.

In Uganda, opposition leader Bobi Wine was placed under house arrest following an election where incumbent President Yoweri Museveni is nearing a potential fifth term. Preliminary results from the Electoral Commission show Museveni with a significant lead over Wine, while the opposition alleges widespread violence and accuses security forces of killing civilians. Wine, the main challenger to Museveni, has been a rising political figure. The election took place amid an internet blackout imposed by authorities, and final results are expected Saturday. Museveni, who has ruled for 40 years, faces accusations of repressing the opposition.

Following Uganda's presidential election on January 17, 2026, opposition leader Bobi Wine reported escaping a police and army raid on his house. This occurred hours before incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled for 40 years, was declared the winner of an election the UN said was marred by repression and intimidation. Wine stated that his wife and family remain under house arrest, and he is avoiding capture. Wine's party initially reported his abduction by helicopter, a claim the military denied. Wine has rejected the election results, citing ballot stuffing and the detention of his party members. The election was also marked by reports of at least 10 deaths.

Yoweri Museveni won Uganda's presidential election, securing his seventh term with over 70% of the vote, according to state election authorities. His opponent, Bobi Wine, has rejected the results, alleging fraud and election irregularities, including voter ID machine failures and ballot stuffing. Wine claims he fled his home due to security force raids and called for peaceful protests. The election occurred amid an internet shutdown and reports of clashes between police and opposition supporters, resulting in casualties. Uganda is considered "not free" by Freedom House, and Museveni has been president for 40 years, making him one of the world's longest-serving leaders.

Uganda is facing increasing international pressure, including from the United Nations, to end a nationwide internet blackout implemented on January 12, 2026, ahead of the January 15 general election. The Ugandan government instructed mobile network operators to block public internet access. International organizations like the UN Human Rights Office and NetBlocks have expressed concern that the shutdown limits transparency and hinders free and genuine elections. The blackout occurs amid accusations of government repression against critics, political opposition, and journalists during the election campaign, where President Yoweri Museveni is being challenged by Bobi Wine. Concerns are rising about the potential for vote fraud and the suppression of dissenting voices.