Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine reportedly taken by army amid election viole

KAMPALA, Jan 15 — Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was reportedly taken by the army from his home on Friday as President Yoweri Museveni neared a landslide re-election, with deadly violence reported in central Uganda.

Wine's National Unity Platform party stated on social media that an army helicopter landed in his Kampala compound and "forcibly taken him away to an unknown destination."

Reuters could not immediately verify the claim, and some senior party officials said they lacked confirmation.

Spokespeople for Uganda's government and military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Wine has alleged mass fraud during Thursday's election, held under an internet blackout, and called on supporters to protest.

His party said on Thursday he had been placed under effective house arrest.

As of Friday evening, Museveni, in power since 1986, held a commanding lead with nearly 74% of the vote, the electoral commission said.

Wine trailed with 23% of the vote.

Violence broke out overnight in the town of Butambala, about 55 km southwest of Kampala.

Local police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe said machete-wielding opposition "goons" attacked a police station and vote-tallying centre.

"Security responded in self-defence because these people came in big numbers," she told Reuters, adding that 25 people were arrested.

However, opposition MP Muwanga Kivumbi told Reuters the victims were killed inside his house while waiting for his parliamentary results.

"They killed 10 people inside my house," he said, describing the incident as a massacre.