Amid growing international concern about the recently concluded Uganda Presidential Election opposition leader Bobi Wine says that he is now worried for his life and has appealed for help.

Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine appeals for help

Uganda's military on Sunday continued to hold top opposition challenger Wine at his home, saying troops were there to protect him.

Uganda eases internet shutdown imposed over election

The opposition party of Ugandan presidential challenger Bobi Wine said that police have prevented top officials from going to their headquarters in the capital, Kampala, as they prepare to launch a legal challenge to Wine's house arrest.

Uganda Presidential Election: Opposition leader's house surrounded by Army & Police

Ugandans voted Thursday in a hotly contested election that will decide whether President Yoweri Museveni wins a sixth term in office and continues his 35-year rule of the country or is unseated by one of 10 rivals, including a leading opposition candidate, Bobi Wine, a rapper-turned-lawmaker.

The vote has been unexpectedly competitive despite fierce government attempts to stifle the opposition — moves that have drawn global attention to Museveni’s autocratic rule.

Watch |&nbsp;

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Government authorities have arrested and beaten Wine repeatedly during the campaign, detained his campaign team as well as 600 members of his party and, the day before the election, forced his private security guards to withdraw from protecting his house, according to his lawyer, Bruce Afran.

Security forces have justified the arrests of Wine and other opposition leaders by saying such steps were necessary to enforce restrictions on political gatherings in order to curb the coronavirus pandemic. Uganda’s strict rules have kept confirmed, reported cases under 38,000, but human rights groups say the measures have been used as a pretense to crack down on critics.

The election is the fourth in the East African nation since multiparty politics was restored in 2005 — but by then Museveni had already been in power for nearly two decades.

In a campaign marked by violence, killings, arbitrary arrests and internet restrictions, observers will be watching for delays in ballot deliveries, voter intimidation and irregularities in vote tallying, along with possible unrest that could ensue in the coming days. The results of the election are expected late Saturday.

<h2>Who are the leading candidates for president?</h2>

More than 18 million voters have registered for the election, where they will cast ballots for presidential, parliamentary and local representatives. There are 11 presidential candidates vying for to lead Uganda over the next five years, and a candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.

Most prominent among them is the incumbent, Museveni, a former rebel who came to power in January 1986 and has since ruled the country with an iron grip. At 76, Museveni is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

His main rival is Wine, a 38-year-old musician who was elected to Parliament in 2017. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has long used his music to lament the state of the country under Museveni and aims to galvanize the youth vote to unseat him. During the campaign, security forces have beaten and tear-gassed Wine, and he was charged in court for flouting coronavirus rules.

In early January, he filed a petition with the International Criminal Court accusing Museveni’s government of authorizing a wave of violence against political figures and human rights lawyers — including attempts to kill him.

Other candidates in the election have also been targeted, including Patrick Amuriat, who is representing the Forum for Democratic Change party. Authorities have beaten and detained Amuriat in several instances, including the day he filed his candidacy papers in November.

Nancy Kalembe Linda, a former banker and news anchor, is the only female candidate running for president.

<h2>How has Museveni held on to power for so long?</h2>

Since Uganda’s independence from Britain in 1962, there has been no peaceful handover of power. When Museveni seized the reins in 1986, on the back of an armed uprising, he promised that his government would further the cause of competitive politics in a nation that had endured years of colonialism, and then dictatorship and lawlessness under the rule of both Milton Obote and Idi Amin.

But in the decades since, Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement have clung to power through politicized prosecution of opposition figures, while undermining independent media and civil society.

Museveni’s government has “insisted that its political opponents were ‘foreign agents’ funded by outsiders, that they were self-interested, that they were immoral and disposed against Ugandans’ interest,” said Derek R. Peterson, a professor of history and African studies at the University of Michigan.

Elections, when they have taken place, have been riddled with allegations of fraud and irregularities.

In 2018, Museveni signed a law that scrapped the presidential age limit of 75. Opposition legislators and lawyers challenged the amendment, but the Supreme Court upheld it in 2019.

<h2>How has the government tried to control the flow of information?</h2>

As voters cast their ballots Thursday, internet connectivity remained down across Uganda as the government ordered telecom companies to block access to social media platforms and online messaging applications.

Opposition candidates including Wine say they have been blocked by authorities from appearing on radio stations to speak to the public.

With limitations on public gatherings because of pandemic restrictions, “social media provided aspirants with a potential way of reaching a large number of prospective voters,” said Jamie Hitchen, an independent researcher who has studied the role of technology in African elections.

But the government quickly found ways to undermine their reach on those platforms, too. In December, the government asked Google to block 14 YouTube channels, mostly linked to the opposition. Museveni also announced this week that he had ordered Facebook to be blocked in the country days after the company took down fake accounts linked to his reelection campaign.

Since the campaigns kicked off in early November, journalists have also faced harassment and beatings from security forces as they covered opposition candidates. The authorities introduced stringent accreditation rules for reporters, and deported at least one foreign crew, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a watchdog group.

<h2>What are the main issues at stake?</h2>

For a long time, Museveni and his party have cast themselves as a bulwark against a return to the violence and political strife that shaped Uganda in the 1970s and ’80s. But with more than 75% of the population younger than 30, many young people no longer “live in the shadow of history,” Peterson of the University of Michigan said.

“They have different aspirations, different fears, and different ambitions” from voters in earlier times, he added.

Key among the concerns of younger people is the question of jobs. Around 700,000 Ugandans reach working age every year, but only 75,000 new jobs are created annually, according to the World Bank. Many are also frustrated by the corruption that has been rife in Museveni’s government for decades, and they yearn for better infrastructure and improved public services, including better education opportunities and affordable health care.

<h2>Was the vote expected to be fair?</h2>

Previous elections in Uganda have been dogged by irregularities along with reports of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and voter fraud. Voters across the country have also previously been denied the ability to cast their ballots, with officials saying that their names were not found on voter registries. Ballots to opposition strongholds, including in the capital, Kampala, have also been delivered very late in the past.

The validity of this election is already being questioned after observers, including from the United States, pulled out because of lack of accreditation. There have also been reports of the failure of electronic voter identification systems because of the internet shutdown. 
&nbsp;

Ugandans voted Thursday in a hotly contested election that will decide whether President Yoweri Museveni wins a sixth term in office and continues his 35-year rule of the country or is unseated by one of 10 rivals, including a leading opposition candidate, Bobi Wine, a rapper-turned-lawmaker.

Ugandans voted Thursday in a hotly contested election that will decide whether President Yoweri Museveni wins a sixth term in office and continues his 35-year rule of the country or is unseated by one of 10 rivals, including a leading opposition candidate, Bobi Wine, a rapper-turned-lawmaker. The vote has been unexpectedly competitive despite fierce government attempts to stifle the opposition — moves that have drawn global attention to Museveni’s autocratic rule. Watch | Government authorities have arrested and beaten Wine repeatedly during the campaign, detained his campaign team as well as 600 members of his party and, the day before the election, forced his private security guards to withdraw from protecting his house, according to his lawyer, Bruce Afran. Security forces have justified the arrests of Wine and other opposition leaders by saying such steps were necessary to enforce restrictions on political gatherings in order to curb the coronavirus pandemic. Uganda’s strict rules have kept confirmed, reported cases under 38,000, but human rights groups say the measures have been used as a pretense to crack down on critics. The election is the fourth in the East African nation since multiparty politics was restored in 2005 — but by then Museveni had already been in power for nearly two decades. In a campaign marked by violence, killings, arbitrary arrests and internet restrictions, observers will be watching for delays in ballot deliveries, voter intimidation and irregularities in vote tallying, along with possible unrest that could ensue in the coming days. The results of the election are expected late Saturday. Who are the leading candidates for president? More than 18 million voters have registered for the election, where they will cast ballots for presidential, parliamentary and local representatives. There are 11 presidential candidates vying for to lead Uganda over the next five years, and a candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. Most prominent among them is the incumbent, Museveni, a former rebel who came to power in January 1986 and has since ruled the country with an iron grip. At 76, Museveni is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His main rival is Wine, a 38-year-old musician who was elected to Parliament in 2017. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has long used his music to lament the state of the country under Museveni and aims to galvanize the youth vote to unseat him. During the campaign, security forces have beaten and tear-gassed Wine, and he was charged in court for flouting coronavirus rules. In early January, he filed a petition with the International Criminal Court accusing Museveni’s government of authorizing a wave of violence against political figures and human rights lawyers — including attempts to kill him. Other candidates in the election have also been targeted, including Patrick Amuriat, who is representing the Forum for Democratic Change party. Authorities have beaten and detained Amuriat in several instances, including the day he filed his candidacy papers in November. Nancy Kalembe Linda, a former banker and news anchor, is the only female candidate running for president. How has Museveni held on to power for so long? Since Uganda’s independence from Britain in 1962, there has been no peaceful handover of power. When Museveni seized the reins in 1986, on the back of an armed uprising, he promised that his government would further the cause of competitive politics in a nation that had endured years of colonialism, and then dictatorship and lawlessness under the rule of both Milton Obote and Idi Amin. But in the decades since, Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement have clung to power through politicized prosecution of opposition figures, while undermining independent media and civil society. Museveni’s government has “insisted that its political opponents were ‘foreign agents’ funded by outsiders, that they were self-interested, that they were immoral and disposed against Ugandans’ interest,” said Derek R. Peterson, a professor of history and African studies at the University of Michigan. Elections, when they have taken place, have been riddled with allegations of fraud and irregularities. In 2018, Museveni signed a law that scrapped the presidential age limit of 75. Opposition legislators and lawyers challenged the amendment, but the Supreme Court upheld it in 2019. How has the government tried to control the flow of information? As voters cast their ballots Thursday, internet connectivity remained down across Uganda as the government ordered telecom companies to block access to social media platforms and online messaging applications. Opposition candidates including Wine say they have been blocked by authorities from appearing on radio stations to speak to the public. With limitations on public gatherings because of pandemic restrictions, “social media provided aspirants with a potential way of reaching a large number of prospective voters,” said Jamie Hitchen, an independent researcher who has studied the role of technology in African elections. But the government quickly found ways to undermine their reach on those platforms, too. In December, the government asked Google to block 14 YouTube channels, mostly linked to the opposition. Museveni also announced this week that he had ordered Facebook to be blocked in the country days after the company took down fake accounts linked to his reelection campaign. Since the campaigns kicked off in early November, journalists have also faced harassment and beatings from security forces as they covered opposition candidates. The authorities introduced stringent accreditation rules for reporters, and deported at least one foreign crew, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a watchdog group. What are the main issues at stake? For a long time, Museveni and his party have cast themselves as a bulwark against a return to the violence and political strife that shaped Uganda in the 1970s and ’80s. But with more than 75% of the population younger than 30, many young people no longer “live in the shadow of history,” Peterson of the University of Michigan said. “They have different aspirations, different fears, and different ambitions” from voters in earlier times, he added. Key among the concerns of younger people is the question of jobs. Around 700,000 Ugandans reach working age every year, but only 75,000 new jobs are created annually, according to the World Bank. Many are also frustrated by the corruption that has been rife in Museveni’s government for decades, and they yearn for better infrastructure and improved public services, including better education opportunities and affordable health care. Was the vote expected to be fair? Previous elections in Uganda have been dogged by irregularities along with reports of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and voter fraud. Voters across the country have also previously been denied the ability to cast their ballots, with officials saying that their names were not found on voter registries. Ballots to opposition strongholds, including in the capital, Kampala, have also been delivered very late in the past. The validity of this election is already being questioned after observers, including from the United States, pulled out because of lack of accreditation. There have also been reports of the failure of electronic voter identification systems because of the internet shutdown.

Ugandans are voting. Will their president of 35 years win again?

Uganda opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the military has “taken control” of his house after “it jumped over the fence”.

Bobi tweeted the news just hours after he alleged that Thursday's election was rigged and said "every legal option is on the table" to challenge the official results, including peaceful protests. He referred to himself as the "president-elect." 
 
<img alt="BOBI WINE" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3fc26207-e8e4-4605-87eb-71b230de56f8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/bobi-wine.JPG" /> 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bobi-wine-vs-yoweri-museveni-who-will-become-ugandas-next-president-356521">Also read | Bobi Wine vs Yoweri Museveni: Who will become Uganda's next president?</a> 
 
"None of these military intruders is talking to us. We are in serious trouble. We are under siege," tweeted Wine, who was arrested several times during campaigning but never charged while dozens of party members were detained. He earlier said he feared for his life. 
 
Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni reported leading in early election trends

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ugandan-president-yoweri-museveni-reported-leading-in-early-election-trends-356973/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Wine has challenged President Yoweri Museveni who is looking for a record sixth term. But --- it won't be easy. The challenger has faced a series of arrests and violent attacks in recent months.

Even his supporters haven't been spared. In a recent tweet, Wine shared a video that allegedly shows --- a member of the campaign being arrested by the military.

Wine has also claimed --- that one of his supporters was shot dead in a raid. On Tuesday, Bobi Wine said he had been targeted with a raid too. The violence has caught the attention of the United Nations.

The Human Rights office expressed concerns last week, they called the arrest of opposition leaders worrying.

The Ugandan president's response was defiance. He accused the opposition of fuelling unrest and violating coronavirus regulations.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Uganda opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the military has “taken control” of his house after “it jumped over the fence”. Bobi tweeted the news just hours after he alleged that Thursday's election was rigged and said "every legal option is on the table" to challenge the official results, including peaceful protests.

Uganda opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the military has “taken control” of his house after “it jumped over the fence”. Bobi tweeted the news just hours after he alleged that Thursday's election was rigged and said "every legal option is on the table" to challenge the official results, including peaceful protests. He referred to himself as the "president-elect." Also read | Bobi Wine vs Yoweri Museveni: Who will become Uganda's next president? "None of these military intruders is talking to us. We are in serious trouble. We are under siege," tweeted Wine, who was arrested several times during campaigning but never charged while dozens of party members were detained. He earlier said he feared for his life. Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni reported leading in early election trends Wine has challenged President Yoweri Museveni who is looking for a record sixth term. But --- it won't be easy. The challenger has faced a series of arrests and violent attacks in recent months. Even his supporters haven't been spared. In a recent tweet, Wine shared a video that allegedly shows --- a member of the campaign being arrested by the military. Wine has also claimed --- that one of his supporters was shot dead in a raid. On Tuesday, Bobi Wine said he had been targeted with a raid too. The violence has caught the attention of the United Nations. The Human Rights office expressed concerns last week, they called the arrest of opposition leaders worrying. The Ugandan president's response was defiance. He accused the opposition of fuelling unrest and violating coronavirus regulations. (With inputs from agencies)

Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine says military raids home

The 38-year-old former ragga singer turned politician has been the main rival to 76-year-old Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking a sixth term.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni reported leading in early election trends

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni took an early lead in the presidential election race, according to preliminary results released on Friday morning by the electoral commission.

With 13.6 per cent&nbsp;of votes counted, Museveni had won 1,536,205 votes, or 65.0 per cent, while main opposition candidate Bobi Wine had 647,146 (27.4 per cent), the commission said.

Wine, a singer-turned-lawmaker who has galvanized young Ugandans with his call for change, said in a tweet early on Friday that he was confident of victory despite "widespread fraud and violence" during the poll. He gave no further details.

Museveni, who has led the East African country with a population of nearly 46 million for 34 years, had not made any statement by 10:30 a.m. (0730 GMT).

On Wednesday, the government ordered an internet blackout until further notice, a day after banning all social media and messaging apps.

The election campaign was marred by deadly crackdowns by security forces on opposition candidates and their supporters.

Uganda's normally bustling capital Kampala was quiet on Friday, a public holiday after Thursday's poll, with shops mostly closed. Soldiers patrolled on foot in the rain in a suburb visited by Reuters.

Commission head Simon Byabakama assured the nation on live TV on Thursday evening after polls closed that results were arriving at the national tally centre despite the nationwide internet blackout.

"We are not using local internet to transmit our results, we are using our own system," he said, without giving details of that system. "Don't worry, results will come."

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni took an early lead in the presidential election race, according to preliminary results released on Friday morning by the electoral commission.

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni took an early lead in the presidential election race, according to preliminary results released on Friday morning by the electoral commission. With 13.6 per cent of votes counted, Museveni had won 1,536,205 votes, or 65.0 per cent, while main opposition candidate Bobi Wine had 647,146 (27.4 per cent), the commission said. Wine, a singer-turned-lawmaker who has galvanized young Ugandans with his call for change, said in a tweet early on Friday that he was confident of victory despite "widespread fraud and violence" during the poll. He gave no further details. Museveni, who has led the East African country with a population of nearly 46 million for 34 years, had not made any statement by 10:30 a.m. (0730 GMT). On Wednesday, the government ordered an internet blackout until further notice, a day after banning all social media and messaging apps. The election campaign was marred by deadly crackdowns by security forces on opposition candidates and their supporters. Uganda's normally bustling capital Kampala was quiet on Friday, a public holiday after Thursday's poll, with shops mostly closed. Soldiers patrolled on foot in the rain in a suburb visited by Reuters. Commission head Simon Byabakama assured the nation on live TV on Thursday evening after polls closed that results were arriving at the national tally centre despite the nationwide internet blackout. "We are not using local internet to transmit our results, we are using our own system," he said, without giving details of that system. "Don't worry, results will come."

Uganda's President Museveni has early lead in election, preliminary results show

Ugandans vote on Thursday in a presidential election pitting long-time leader Yoweri Museveni against an opposition galvanised by a popular singer despite a campaign marked by brutal crackdowns.

Reggae artist Bobi Wine, 38, is channelling the anger of many young Ugandans who say former guerrilla leader Museveni, now 76, is an out-of-touch dictator failing to tackle rampant unemployment and surging public debt.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-fears-of-rigging-ahead-of-polling-in-uganda-356527/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Museveni calls Wine an upstart who is backed by foreign governments and homosexuals and says his administration guarantees political stability and economic progress including much-needed hydropower dams and roads.

Campaign violence has surpassed previous turbulent elections, with scores killed when security forces cracked down on gatherings of opposition supporters. Opposition candidates, supporters and campaign staff have been repeatedly arrested.

The government says it is stopping illegal gatherings during the COVID-19 crisis. The opposition says the bans on rallies in some parts of Uganda are a smokescreen for repression.

"If you try to disturb the peace, you will have yourself to blame. The security forces, following the law, are ready to deal with any troublemaker," Museveni warned this week, dressed in a military camouflage jacket as he spoke on live TV.

Though Wine has the momentum of energized and aggrieved supporters behind him, Museveni remains the frontrunner to win with the well-equipped army and police behind him, analysts say.

There are 17.7 million registered voters in Uganda and polls will be open from 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) until 5 p.m. on Thursday. The first results are expected to come in by Saturday evening.

"Every bit of the security apparatus will be on the streets. Theoretically, that brings calm, but I think we know that just brings flashpoints," said a senior European Union diplomat.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has urged supporters to stay at polling stations after voting to observe tallying and to take photographs of the results sheets and upload them to an application, U Vote.

However, Ugandans reported problems accessing the internet on the eve of the election and internet monitor NetBlocks said the country was experiencing a nationwide blackout.

The internet problems came a day after Uganda banned all social media platforms and messaging apps until further notice.

Museveni apologised for the inconvenience but said Uganda had no choice after Facebook took down some accounts which backed his ruling party.

Birmingham University democracy professor Nic Cheeseman said many who want to heed Wine's call for change were too afraid.

"Previous surveys show that the majority of voters do not believe in change at the ballot box because Museveni is not prepared to leave," he said.

Aggrey Musasizi, 31, a motorbike taxi driver, told Reuters from his village in Uganda's west that he had left the capital Kampala for fear of violence, but he would still vote for Wine.

"It is high time we witnessed change in Uganda. We can't continue in the situation where some of us have seen only one president all our lives."

Ugandans vote on Thursday in a presidential election pitting long-time leader Yoweri Museveni against an opposition galvanised by a popular singer despite a campaign marked by brutal crackdowns.

Ugandans vote on Thursday in a presidential election pitting long-time leader Yoweri Museveni against an opposition galvanised by a popular singer despite a campaign marked by brutal crackdowns. Reggae artist Bobi Wine, 38, is channelling the anger of many young Ugandans who say former guerrilla leader Museveni, now 76, is an out-of-touch dictator failing to tackle rampant unemployment and surging public debt. Museveni calls Wine an upstart who is backed by foreign governments and homosexuals and says his administration guarantees political stability and economic progress including much-needed hydropower dams and roads. Campaign violence has surpassed previous turbulent elections, with scores killed when security forces cracked down on gatherings of opposition supporters. Opposition candidates, supporters and campaign staff have been repeatedly arrested. The government says it is stopping illegal gatherings during the COVID-19 crisis. The opposition says the bans on rallies in some parts of Uganda are a smokescreen for repression. "If you try to disturb the peace, you will have yourself to blame. The security forces, following the law, are ready to deal with any troublemaker," Museveni warned this week, dressed in a military camouflage jacket as he spoke on live TV. Though Wine has the momentum of energized and aggrieved supporters behind him, Museveni remains the frontrunner to win with the well-equipped army and police behind him, analysts say. There are 17.7 million registered voters in Uganda and polls will be open from 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) until 5 p.m. on Thursday. The first results are expected to come in by Saturday evening. "Every bit of the security apparatus will be on the streets. Theoretically, that brings calm, but I think we know that just brings flashpoints," said a senior European Union diplomat. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has urged supporters to stay at polling stations after voting to observe tallying and to take photographs of the results sheets and upload them to an application, U Vote. However, Ugandans reported problems accessing the internet on the eve of the election and internet monitor NetBlocks said the country was experiencing a nationwide blackout. The internet problems came a day after Uganda banned all social media platforms and messaging apps until further notice. Museveni apologised for the inconvenience but said Uganda had no choice after Facebook took down some accounts which backed his ruling party. Birmingham University democracy professor Nic Cheeseman said many who want to heed Wine's call for change were too afraid. "Previous surveys show that the majority of voters do not believe in change at the ballot box because Museveni is not prepared to leave," he said. Aggrey Musasizi, 31, a motorbike taxi driver, told Reuters from his village in Uganda's west that he had left the capital Kampala for fear of violence, but he would still vote for Wine. "It is high time we witnessed change in Uganda. We can't continue in the situation where some of us have seen only one president all our lives."

Ugandan election pits reggae singer against long-serving Museveni

The East-African country of Uganda is heading to a presidential election on Thursday. President Yoweri Museveni's 35-year long rule is being challenged.

Uganda gets ready for Presidential election, social media blackout ahead of polls

Uganda will choose its next president on Thursday. This is Uganda's most violent election. There is heavy security deployment on the streets of the African country.&nbsp;

After a chaotic and bloody round of campaigning, the world's attention is on singer-turned-lawmaker Bobi Wine.

Wine has challenged president Yoweri Museveni who is looking for a record sixth term. But --- it won't be easy. The challenger has faced a series of arrests and violent attacks in recent months.

Even his supporters haven't been spared. In a recent tweet, Wine shared a video that allegedly shows --- a member of the campaign being arrested by the military.

Wine has also claimed --- that one of his supporters was shot dead in a raid. On Tuesday, Bobi Wine said he had been targeted with a raid too. The violence has caught the attention of the United Nations.

The Human Rights office expressed concerns last week, they called the arrest of opposition leaders worrying.

The Ugandan president's response was defiance. He accused the opposition of fuelling unrest and violating coronavirus regulations.&nbsp;

Social media and big tech is playing a role in this election too.

Ahead of the polling, Facebook shut down several accounts linked to the Ugandan government. According to reports, fake accounts were being used to spread disinformation to voters.

The Ugandan government accused Facebook of interfering in the election.

Social media has been banned ahead of polling. But, the opposition wants voters to use technology. Bobi Wine fears the election results could be rigged. He has called on voters to record the declaring of results in their districts.

Uganda has never seen a peaceful transition of power. But this could be another level. There are fears that the results could trigger a fresh wave of violence. The government anticipates a backlash. There is a massive military presence across Uganda now. A move that could deter voters from coming out.

Uganda will choose its next president on Thursday. This is Uganda's most violent election. There is heavy security deployment on the streets of the African country.

Uganda will choose its next president on Thursday. This is Uganda's most violent election. There is heavy security deployment on the streets of the African country. After a chaotic and bloody round of campaigning, the world's attention is on singer-turned-lawmaker Bobi Wine. Wine has challenged president Yoweri Museveni who is looking for a record sixth term. But --- it won't be easy. The challenger has faced a series of arrests and violent attacks in recent months. Even his supporters haven't been spared. In a recent tweet, Wine shared a video that allegedly shows --- a member of the campaign being arrested by the military. Wine has also claimed --- that one of his supporters was shot dead in a raid. On Tuesday, Bobi Wine said he had been targeted with a raid too. The violence has caught the attention of the United Nations. The Human Rights office expressed concerns last week, they called the arrest of opposition leaders worrying. The Ugandan president's response was defiance. He accused the opposition of fuelling unrest and violating coronavirus regulations. Social media and big tech is playing a role in this election too. Ahead of the polling, Facebook shut down several accounts linked to the Ugandan government. According to reports, fake accounts were being used to spread disinformation to voters. The Ugandan government accused Facebook of interfering in the election. Social media has been banned ahead of polling. But, the opposition wants voters to use technology. Bobi Wine fears the election results could be rigged. He has called on voters to record the declaring of results in their districts. Uganda has never seen a peaceful transition of power. But this could be another level. There are fears that the results could trigger a fresh wave of violence. The government anticipates a backlash. There is a massive military presence across Uganda now. A move that could deter voters from coming out.

Bobi Wine vs Yoweri Museveni: Who will become Uganda's next president?

Uganda has never seen a peaceful transition of power, and the election campaign has been fraught with violence and intimidation.

Uganda: Presidential candidate Bobi Wine's big statement, says 'Lets this be a protest vote'

Uganda's popstar-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who is running for the presidency and challenging the 34-year-old rule of President Yoweri Museveni, has been arrested.

Take a look at this report which tells you why it's a David vs Goliath story.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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"Fellow Ugandans, citizens of the world, as you can see, we have been hijacked here by the police and the military. Nobody is talking to us, they are just arresting people, beating people. We don't know what is happening, we don't know what is going to happen to us, the military has blocked us, nobody is talking to us, nobody is answering any question," said Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi in the last message before his arrest.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ugandan-presidential-candidate-wine-says-military-police-vehicle-killed-bodyguard-352985">Ugandan presidential candidate Wine says military-police vehicle killed bodyguard</a>

On December 30, Wine and his campaign team were arrested in Kalangala in central Uganda.&nbsp;

Images from the scene showed Wine surrounded by police officers and military troops armed with rifles.&nbsp;

The arrest followed weeks of violence, which Ugandan authorities blamed on Wine, but critics claim the government should be held accountable.&nbsp;

Critics say the government is unnecessarily cracking down on supporters on Wine as he is seeking to end the long rule of Ugandan president.&nbsp;

Museveni, 76, has been the president of Uganda since 1986 and his term is marred with conflicts, rebellions, political suppression and consecutive humanitarian emergencies.&nbsp;

He is seeking a sixth term in the presidential election that will be held on January 14.&nbsp;

Wine, 38-year-old, has become a lightning rod for opposition to Museveni and several young Ugandan see him as the one who will take their country out from poverty and unemployment.&nbsp;

His arrest has become a flashpoint as the protests have escalated and the tensions have reached a tipping point.

The consequences could be severe. 
&nbsp; 
"We have told you before and we continue to tell you that no amount of brutality, no amount of teargas, no amount of torture or pepper spray that is going to stop us," said Wine.&nbsp;

Uganda's popstar-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who is running for the presidency and challenging the 34-year-old rule of President Yoweri Museveni, has been arrested.

Uganda's popstar-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who is running for the presidency and challenging the 34-year-old rule of President Yoweri Museveni, has been arrested. Take a look at this report which tells you why it's a David vs Goliath story. Watch | "Fellow Ugandans, citizens of the world, as you can see, we have been hijacked here by the police and the military. Nobody is talking to us, they are just arresting people, beating people. We don't know what is happening, we don't know what is going to happen to us, the military has blocked us, nobody is talking to us, nobody is answering any question," said Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi in the last message before his arrest. Also read | Ugandan presidential candidate Wine says military-police vehicle killed bodyguard On December 30, Wine and his campaign team were arrested in Kalangala in central Uganda. Images from the scene showed Wine surrounded by police officers and military troops armed with rifles. The arrest followed weeks of violence, which Ugandan authorities blamed on Wine, but critics claim the government should be held accountable. Critics say the government is unnecessarily cracking down on supporters on Wine as he is seeking to end the long rule of Ugandan president. Museveni, 76, has been the president of Uganda since 1986 and his term is marred with conflicts, rebellions, political suppression and consecutive humanitarian emergencies. He is seeking a sixth term in the presidential election that will be held on January 14. Wine, 38-year-old, has become a lightning rod for opposition to Museveni and several young Ugandan see him as the one who will take their country out from poverty and unemployment. His arrest has become a flashpoint as the protests have escalated and the tensions have reached a tipping point. The consequences could be severe. "We have told you before and we continue to tell you that no amount of brutality, no amount of teargas, no amount of torture or pepper spray that is going to stop us," said Wine.

As Uganda's Bobi Wine is arrested, here's why it's story of David vs Goliath

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