'Reject fake election results,' Bobi Wine says as he resurfaces after military raid

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has resurfaced after what he described as a military-style raid on his home, accusing authorities of placing him and his wife under house arrest and attempting to rig the country’s presidential election.

In a video shared on his X platform and issued on Saturday morning, January 17, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader said security forces raided his residence a day earlier, using ladders to scale the perimeter wall, cutting off electricity and surveillance cameras, and deploying a helicopter to illuminate the compound.

“Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, it’s 9:00 am. My wife and I have been under house arrest since January 15, 2026, when we had elections, and yesterday our house was raided by some police officers together with unknown individuals,” Bobi Wine stated.

He alleged that during the operation, officers were supported by a helicopter hovering above his home as they carried out the raid, during which he, however, managed to escape.

Bobi Wine rejected the election results being announced by the Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama, saying they do not reflect the will of the people and the actual situation in polling stations.

“We reject whatever is being declared by Simon Byabakama because those so-called results are fake and don’t reflect what happened at the polling stations,” he stated.

The opposition leader accused the government of orchestrating widespread electoral malpractice, including arresting opposition agents, interfering with ballot materials, and shutting down internet access to suppress transparency.

He demanded the immediate restoration of internet services and called for the publication of declaration forms and district tally sheets to allow Ugandans to independently verify the results.

“We demand that the internet be restored and the rightful declaration forms and tally sheets from the districts be uploaded on the internet so that the people of Uganda can see the right results in transparency,” Bobi Wine remarked.

He further called on the Electoral Commission to halt the announcement of results until internet access is restored and the process can be followed openly by the public.

Bobi Wine also claimed that protests have erupted in various parts of the country, accompanied by mass arrests and deaths, accusing sections of the media of failing to report on the situation adequately.

“There are widespread protests and widespread arrests, and people are being killed,” he said, urging media outlets to cover events on the ground.

The opposition leader further called on Ugandans to reject the results being announced and engage in peaceful demonstrations.

“We firmly call on Ugandans to reject these fake results that are being read by Byabakama and his Electoral Commission. We call on Ugandans to non-violently protest and reject any efforts to subvert their voice and demand that the right results are announced," he said.

Bobi Wine's remarks come as Uganda's election was marred by significant technical problems after biometric machines, used to confirm voters' identities, malfunctioned and ballot papers were not delivered for several hours in many areas.

There were also reports of violence against the opposition in other parts of the country, with at least seven people reportedly killed. 

As of publication, Uganda’s Electoral Commission said President Yoweri Museveni was leading the presidential race with 76.25 per cent of the vote.

Bobi Wine, follows with 19.85 per cent, with the remaining votes shared among six other candidates.

The developments have heightened tensions in the country as Ugandans await the final election results amid growing concerns over security and the political climate.