Kampala, Jan. 15 — Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has alleged serious irregularities during Uganda’s election day, raising concerns about the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
In a statement shared online on Thursday, Wine claimed that the polls were marred by ballot stuffing, arrests of opposition figures, and the disruption of internet services across the country. He said the developments form part of what he described as a systematic effort to suppress dissent and undermine democratic participation.
“The world needs to know what is happening in Uganda,” Wine stated, alleging that several leaders of his political party were arrested, including the Deputy President for the Western Region. He further claimed that numerous polling agents and supervisors aligned with the opposition were abducted or forcibly removed from polling stations.
The opposition leader also reported widespread failures of biometric voter verification machines, a situation he said has heightened fears of electoral manipulation and voter disenfranchisement.
Calling on Ugandans to remain vigilant, Wine urged citizens to “rise to the occasion” and reject what he described as an illegitimate and repressive system. He also appealed to the international community, warning against recognizing the outcome of an election he characterized as deeply flawed.
Wine’s allegations come amid heightened political tension as Ugandans cast their ballots, with both domestic and international observers closely monitoring whether the electoral process meets accepted standards of transparency, fairness, and credibility.
As of press time, electoral authorities and the Ugandan government had not issued an official response to the claims.
