National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has rejected the presidential election results announced by the Electoral Commission (EC), calling on Ugandans to peacefully demand what he described as the rightful outcome of the vote.
In a video message posted on his social media platforms on Saturday, ahead of the official declaration of results, Kyagulanyi challenged figures released by Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, saying they did not reflect what transpired at polling stations across the country.
“First and foremost, we reject whatever is being declared because these so-called results do not in any way reflect what happened at the polling stations or what is on the declaration forms,” Kyagulanyi said.
He accused authorities of manipulating the electoral process, alleging widespread irregularities including the arrest of opposition polling agents, ballot stuffing and the shutdown of internet services during and after voting.
“After arresting almost all our agents, after ballot stuffing and after shutting off the internet, the regime is once again trying to rig the elections,” he said.
Kyagulanyi urged Ugandans to reject what he termed fraudulent results and to do so through non-violent means.
“We firmly call upon the people of Uganda to reject these fake results and to non-violently protest any effort to subvert their voice,” he said.
He also appealed to the media to report what he described as post-election unrest, arrests and the prevailing security situation across the country.
“We want to call upon the media, which has deliberately ignored what is happening in the country, including widespread protests and arrests,” Kyagulanyi said.
The NUP leader further claimed that he and his wife had been under house arrest since January 15, the day of the elections, and alleged that security forces raided his residence the following day.
“My wife and I have been under house arrest since the 15th of January, when we had elections, and yesterday our house was raided by police officers together with other unknown individuals in plain clothes,” he said.
Kyagulanyi alleged that the officers cut off electricity and disabled security cameras before accessing the compound using ladders, with a helicopter hovering overhead to provide light.
“They cut off our electricity, they cut off our cameras, and they were being assisted by a helicopter that was hovering above our compound and providing them light,” he said.
He claimed he managed to leave the residence during the operation but said security agencies were still pursuing him.
However, police have denied reports that Kyagulanyi is under house arrest.
According to final results announced by the Electoral Commission, President Yoweri Museveni won the election with 7,944,772 votes (71.65%), while Kyagulanyi garnered 2,741,238 votes (24.72%).
A total of 11,366,201 Ugandans cast their ballots, representing a voter turnout of 52.5%.
