Uganda's Opposition Said Their Leader Was Kidnapped After The Election

• 17.01.2026, 21:16

The country's authorities shut down the internet and sent the military to the capital.

Uganda's opposition leader Bobi Wine was kidnapped by an army helicopter, his National Unity Platform (NUP) party said.

"A military helicopter landed at the presidential compound after which Bobi Wine was forcibly taken away to an unknown destination," the party said in a statement.

The country's presidential election was held on January 15. The kidnapping incident occurred a day before the electoral commission planned to announce the results of the vote, notes The New York Times. In the end, 81-year-old dictator Yoweri Museveni claimed victory.

Two days before the election, Ugandan authorities shut down the internet for "security reasons," which the NYT said made it difficult to share information and organize protests. Thousands of police and military personnel were also deployed to the capital Kampala to prevent mass demonstrations.

Bobi Wine, a former pop star who is popular among young people, has been gathering rallies of thousands across the country, the newspaper adds.