Ugandan Opposition Leader's House Under Siege as Election Results Announced, Dozens Killed
The National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader Muwanga Kivumbi says security forces stormed his home early Friday morning, killing 10 members of his campaign team. The incident occurred after a general election in which President Yoweri Museveni was expected to extend his nearly four-decade grip on power.
According to Kivumbi, security forces broke into the garage where supporters were waiting for the results of his parliamentary seat to be announced at around 3 am local time, sparking a massacre. His wife, law professor Zahara Nampewo, described the scene as "something that cannot easily go away" after seeing fresh bodies.
However, police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe claimed that opposition "goons" organized by Kivumbi had attacked a police station and vote-tallying center, forcing security personnel to shoot in self-defense. Twenty-five people were arrested, she said.
Bobi Wine, the NUP presidential candidate, condemned the incident, calling for resistance against Museveni's regime. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has long challenged Museveni and emerged as a strong contender in recent years.
The election was marred by clashes at opposition rallies and widespread repression and intimidation, according to the United Nations. Voting passed peacefully on Thursday, with early results showing Museveni leading with more than 75% of the vote.
Analysts have long viewed the election as a formality, given Museveni's control over the state and security apparatus. The president has ruthlessly crushed any challenger during his rule. Wine trailed behind Museveni by about 21%, with remaining votes split among six other candidates.
Final results are due to be announced on Saturday. Museveni claimed he expected to win with 80% of the vote if there was no cheating, according to Reuters.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader Muwanga Kivumbi says security forces stormed his home early Friday morning, killing 10 members of his campaign team. The incident occurred after a general election in which President Yoweri Museveni was expected to extend his nearly four-decade grip on power.
According to Kivumbi, security forces broke into the garage where supporters were waiting for the results of his parliamentary seat to be announced at around 3 am local time, sparking a massacre. His wife, law professor Zahara Nampewo, described the scene as "something that cannot easily go away" after seeing fresh bodies.
However, police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe claimed that opposition "goons" organized by Kivumbi had attacked a police station and vote-tallying center, forcing security personnel to shoot in self-defense. Twenty-five people were arrested, she said.
Bobi Wine, the NUP presidential candidate, condemned the incident, calling for resistance against Museveni's regime. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has long challenged Museveni and emerged as a strong contender in recent years.
The election was marred by clashes at opposition rallies and widespread repression and intimidation, according to the United Nations. Voting passed peacefully on Thursday, with early results showing Museveni leading with more than 75% of the vote.
Analysts have long viewed the election as a formality, given Museveni's control over the state and security apparatus. The president has ruthlessly crushed any challenger during his rule. Wine trailed behind Museveni by about 21%, with remaining votes split among six other candidates.
Final results are due to be announced on Saturday. Museveni claimed he expected to win with 80% of the vote if there was no cheating, according to Reuters.