Lawyers for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine filed a challenge in the Supreme Court on Monday against President Yoweri Museveni's victory in last month's election, claiming the poll was rigged.

The 38-year-old singer-turned-lawmaker came a distant second behind veteran leader Museveni in the January 14 vote that followed some of Uganda's worst pre-election bloodshed in years.&nbsp;

Medard Sseggona, one of Wine's lawyers, said "any election Museveni participates in can never be a peaceful election, can never be a free and fair election".

"We want nullification of the election. We do not want (Museveni) participating in any future election," Sseggona said outside the Kampala courthouse where he filed the petition.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uganda-armed-forces-withdrawn-from-bobi-wines-house-after-court-orders-359482">&nbsp;Uganda: Armed forces withdrawn from Bobi Wine's house after court orders</a>

Museveni, a 76-year-old former rebel leader who has ruled since 1986, won a sixth term with 58.4 per cent of the vote, according to the latest updated count from the electoral commission.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, secured 35.1 per cent and slammed the vote as a sham.

Under the constitution, Wine had 15 days from the declaration of results by the electoral commission to challenge the outcome.

The Supreme Court must now rule on the petition within 45 days.

Losing candidates have sought unsuccessfully in the past to overturn Museveni's wins in court. One of Africa's longest-serving rulers, Museveni has won every election since 1996, almost all marred by allegations of irregularities.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uganda-high-court-ends-bobi-wines-house-arrest-359241">Uganda: High court ends Bobi Wine's house arrest</a>

'Invaded polling stations'

Sseggona said "soldiers invaded polling stations" and stuffed ballot boxes with pre-ticket votes. Electoral registers were tampered with at other locations, he added.

"Museveni cannot be left to cheat and steal scot-free," Sseggona said.

Museveni, however, declared the election the cleanest in Uganda's post-independence history.&nbsp;

The run-up to the vote was marred by violence, and a sustained crackdown on government critics and Museveni's rivals.

In November, at least 54 people were shot dead by security forces loyal to Museveni during protests against one of Wine's numerous arrests.&nbsp;

The opposition leader was held under effective house arrest from polling day until a court ordered security forces end his detention last week.&nbsp;

Access to the headquarters of his political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been blocked for about two weeks.

Security toughened

Security was beefed up across Kampala on Monday, with soldiers atop armored personnel carriers and police marching in the streets.

Uganda's deputy inspector-general of police, Major General Paul Lokech, said the additional security was due to protests threatened by elements aligned to the NUP.

The party denied the allegations, with Secretary General Lewis David Rubongoya saying it advocates for a "peaceful change of Museveni's government, and not through violence".

Civil society activists have criticised the parameters for challenging Ugandan elections, with judges only examining events on voting day and the declaration of results, without also taking into consideration the overall campaign period.

"The electoral jurisprudence narrows an election process to votes, numbers and statistics on declaration day making election petitions very difficult," independent election analyst Crispin Kaheru told AFP.

By law, Wine must prove to the court that any alleged irregularities affected the outcome of the election "to a substantial manner" -- a much higher burden of proof than in civil cases.

Ugandan courts do not "look at elections as a process but only at events on polling day and declaration day, which makes it very difficult to prove substantial effect of fraud wrongdoing," Kaheru said.

Lawyers for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine filed a challenge in the Supreme Court on Monday against President Yoweri Museveni's victory in last month's election, claiming the poll was rigged.

Lawyers for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine filed a challenge in the Supreme Court on Monday against President Yoweri Museveni's victory in last month's election, claiming the poll was rigged. The 38-year-old singer-turned-lawmaker came a distant second behind veteran leader Museveni in the January 14 vote that followed some of Uganda's worst pre-election bloodshed in years. Medard Sseggona, one of Wine's lawyers, said "any election Museveni participates in can never be a peaceful election, can never be a free and fair election". "We want nullification of the election. We do not want (Museveni) participating in any future election," Sseggona said outside the Kampala courthouse where he filed the petition. Also read| Uganda: Armed forces withdrawn from Bobi Wine's house after court orders Museveni, a 76-year-old former rebel leader who has ruled since 1986, won a sixth term with 58.4 per cent of the vote, according to the latest updated count from the electoral commission. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, secured 35.1 per cent and slammed the vote as a sham. Under the constitution, Wine had 15 days from the declaration of results by the electoral commission to challenge the outcome. The Supreme Court must now rule on the petition within 45 days. Losing candidates have sought unsuccessfully in the past to overturn Museveni's wins in court. One of Africa's longest-serving rulers, Museveni has won every election since 1996, almost all marred by allegations of irregularities. Also read| Uganda: High court ends Bobi Wine's house arrest 'Invaded polling stations' Sseggona said "soldiers invaded polling stations" and stuffed ballot boxes with pre-ticket votes. Electoral registers were tampered with at other locations, he added. "Museveni cannot be left to cheat and steal scot-free," Sseggona said. Museveni, however, declared the election the cleanest in Uganda's post-independence history. The run-up to the vote was marred by violence, and a sustained crackdown on government critics and Museveni's rivals. In November, at least 54 people were shot dead by security forces loyal to Museveni during protests against one of Wine's numerous arrests. The opposition leader was held under effective house arrest from polling day until a court ordered security forces end his detention last week. Access to the headquarters of his political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been blocked for about two weeks. Security toughened Security was beefed up across Kampala on Monday, with soldiers atop armored personnel carriers and police marching in the streets. Uganda's deputy inspector-general of police, Major General Paul Lokech, said the additional security was due to protests threatened by elements aligned to the NUP. The party denied the allegations, with Secretary General Lewis David Rubongoya saying it advocates for a "peaceful change of Museveni's government, and not through violence". Civil society activists have criticised the parameters for challenging Ugandan elections, with judges only examining events on voting day and the declaration of results, without also taking into consideration the overall campaign period. "The electoral jurisprudence narrows an election process to votes, numbers and statistics on declaration day making election petitions very difficult," independent election analyst Crispin Kaheru told AFP. By law, Wine must prove to the court that any alleged irregularities affected the outcome of the election "to a substantial manner" -- a much higher burden of proof than in civil cases. Ugandan courts do not "look at elections as a process but only at events on polling day and declaration day, which makes it very difficult to prove substantial effect of fraud wrongdoing," Kaheru said.

Ugandan opposition leader files election challenge in court

A day after the court ordered an end to the house arrest of the Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine, soldiers have finally left the premises after days of standing guard outside his personal residence.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had been under a house arrest in his Kampala residence since the start of the voting of this year's Uganda election, i.e. January 14.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uganda-high-court-ends-bobi-wines-house-arrest-359241">Uganda: High court ends Bobi Wine's house arrest</a>

Now, after 11 days, forces have left the area. Earlier, armed soldiers and police officers were placed outside his property in the capital city and Wine's family members were also not allowed to leave the premises.

The security forces now withdrew on Tuesday, and the leader can now finally convene with the newly-elected MPs from his National Unity Platform (NUP).

This is the first time Bobi Wine has been able to convene the meeting since the Uganda elections took place.&nbsp;

Wine has accused General Museveni of voter fraud and has claimed that the recently-concluded elections to be rigged and has also alleged an attempt of a coup against him and locals of Uganda.

"I was put under illegal detention in my own house because General Museveni did not win," he told the MP and party supporters. "He is staging a coup against the will of the people of Uganda."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uganda-opposition-leader-bobi-wine-appeals-for-help-357724">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uganda-opposition-leader-bobi-wine-appeals-for-help-357724/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The armed forces were forced to leave the premises after the High Court ruled in favour of the petition lodged by Wine's legal team who claimed Wine's house arrest to be unlawful.

However, the Uganda government claimed the restrictions were simply preventive measures for Wine's own protection, and also to make sure no illegal protests take place during the election period.

Meanwhile, Wine has urged his supporters and Uganda locals to reject the election results as a sham and not let the reign of President Yoweri Museveni continue for another term. "We want Museveni out of office in less than a year," he said.

A day after the court ordered an end to the house arrest of the Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine, soldiers have finally left the premises after days of standing guard outside his personal residence.

A day after the court ordered an end to the house arrest of the Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine, soldiers have finally left the premises after days of standing guard outside his personal residence. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had been under a house arrest in his Kampala residence since the start of the voting of this year's Uganda election, i.e. January 14. Also read| Uganda: High court ends Bobi Wine's house arrest Now, after 11 days, forces have left the area. Earlier, armed soldiers and police officers were placed outside his property in the capital city and Wine's family members were also not allowed to leave the premises. The security forces now withdrew on Tuesday, and the leader can now finally convene with the newly-elected MPs from his National Unity Platform (NUP). This is the first time Bobi Wine has been able to convene the meeting since the Uganda elections took place. Wine has accused General Museveni of voter fraud and has claimed that the recently-concluded elections to be rigged and has also alleged an attempt of a coup against him and locals of Uganda. "I was put under illegal detention in my own house because General Museveni did not win," he told the MP and party supporters. "He is staging a coup against the will of the people of Uganda." WATCH| The armed forces were forced to leave the premises after the High Court ruled in favour of the petition lodged by Wine's legal team who claimed Wine's house arrest to be unlawful. However, the Uganda government claimed the restrictions were simply preventive measures for Wine's own protection, and also to make sure no illegal protests take place during the election period. Meanwhile, Wine has urged his supporters and Uganda locals to reject the election results as a sham and not let the reign of President Yoweri Museveni continue for another term. "We want Museveni out of office in less than a year," he said.

Uganda: Armed forces withdrawn from Bobi Wine's house after court orders

Uganda's High Court on Monday ended the house arrest of presidential election runner-up Bobi Wine.&nbsp;

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulani, has been under de-facto house arrest at his home outside Kampala, since he returned after voting on January 14.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uganda-opposition-leader-bobi-wine-appeals-for-help-357724/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Justice Michael Elubu in his verdict said that Wine's arrest is "unlawful" and his right to liberty has been "infringed".&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ugandas-opposition-leader-bobi-wine-says-military-raids-home-356972">Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine says military raids home</a>

"The continued indefinite restriction and confinement of the applicant to his home is unlawful and his right to liberty has been infringed," Elubu at the court's Civil Division in Kampala said.&nbsp;

"Having found that the restrictions are unlawful it is hereby ordered that they are lifted."

George Musisi, one of the lawyers of Wine, told CNN that the court "held that the freedom to personal liberty is too crucial that it should not be restricted casually or indefinitely".

Ever since his arrest, heavily-armed security personnel is deployed outside Wine's property and his wife, Barbie, is also not allowed to leave the compound.

The US ambassador to Uganda last week was also not allowed to meet the pop star-turned-politician.&nbsp;

The Ugandan government had called the restrictions "preventative" measures for Wine's own protection and to prevent demonstrations against the presidential election

Wine, who won 35 percent of the vote, according to the official figures, argues that the election was rigged in favour of President Yoweri Museveni.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Uganda's High Court on Monday ended the house arrest of presidential election runner-up Bobi Wine. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulani, has been under de-facto house arrest at his home outside Kampala, since he returned after voting on January 14.

Uganda's High Court on Monday ended the house arrest of presidential election runner-up Bobi Wine. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulani, has been under de-facto house arrest at his home outside Kampala, since he returned after voting on January 14. Watch | Justice Michael Elubu in his verdict said that Wine's arrest is "unlawful" and his right to liberty has been "infringed". Also read | Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine says military raids home "The continued indefinite restriction and confinement of the applicant to his home is unlawful and his right to liberty has been infringed," Elubu at the court's Civil Division in Kampala said. "Having found that the restrictions are unlawful it is hereby ordered that they are lifted." George Musisi, one of the lawyers of Wine, told CNN that the court "held that the freedom to personal liberty is too crucial that it should not be restricted casually or indefinitely". Ever since his arrest, heavily-armed security personnel is deployed outside Wine's property and his wife, Barbie, is also not allowed to leave the compound. The US ambassador to Uganda last week was also not allowed to meet the pop star-turned-politician. The Ugandan government had called the restrictions "preventative" measures for Wine's own protection and to prevent demonstrations against the presidential election Wine, who won 35 percent of the vote, according to the official figures, argues that the election was rigged in favour of President Yoweri Museveni.

Uganda: High court ends Bobi Wine's house arrest