Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the military has entered and "taken control" of his home while the country waits for election results amid a government-ordered internet blackout.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wine tweeted 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".
"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.
This month he petitioned the International Criminal Court over alleged abuses by security forces.
Wine has said he feared for his life.
Reached by phone, military spokeswoman Brigadier General Flavia Byekwaso said that "It's not true. We only have a presence of soldiers in the general area of Magere," the village where Wine lives.
She denied that soldiers had forced their way into his home.
A Kampala police spokesman, Luke Owoyesigire, told broadcaster NTV Uganda that three unidentified people had tried to enter and one was arrested while two "took off".
He said Wine was not under arrest.
Uganda's electoral commission said longtime President Yoweri Museveni leads Wine and other candidates based on results from roughly half of polling stations, receiving 62 per cent of ballots while Wine had 29 per cent.
It said final results will be declared on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Wine, a popular singer-turned-lawmaker half the president's age, alleged to reporters that "whatever is being declared is a total sham".
At the time, there was a heavy police presence near his home.
The electoral commission, which said it was "not competent" to comment on the military's actions, said Wine should prove his allegations of rigging.
Wine said he would provide video evidence of pre-ticked ballots and other irregularities once internet access in Uganda is restored.
"We secured a comfortable victory," Wine said.
"I am very confident that we defeated the dictator by far."
He was considering "peaceful and non-violent protests" over the declared results and said "every legal option is on the table".
Candidates can challenge election results at the Supreme Court.
Australian Associated Press
