30 Killed In Ugandan Post-election Violence

On Friday, opposition leader Bobi Wine continued to stay out of sight after claiming security forces had stormed his residence following the vote on January 15.

He described the election as a “brazen theft” and called on citizens to demonstrate.

The 81-year-old Museveni secured a seventh term in office, obtaining 72% of the vote against Wine’s 25%, as reported by the Electoral Commission.

Both African observers and international non-governmental organizations condemned the severe suppression of opposition forces and the blocking of internet access.

Related: Two Ugandan Soldiers Sentenced For Killing Protesters

Army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba wrote on X: “We have arrested more than 2,000 thugs that Kabobi thought he could use,” employing his nickname for Wine.

He continued: “So far, we have killed 30 NUP terrorists,” referencing Wine’s political party, the National Unity Platform.

The 51-year-old Kainerugaba has a reputation for controversial and frequently crude posts on social media. He has publicly expressed his ambition to take over from his father and issued threats this week to track down and kill Wine.

His latest statements about the opposition contained sexist humor.

Opposition Member of Parliament Muwanga Kivumbi from the Butambala constituency in central Uganda, where the most intense election-day violence occurred, is among those recently detained.

Kivumbi informed AFP that security forces killed ten of his campaign staff after raiding his residence, though police claimed his supporters were shot after trying to burn down a counting center and a police station.

An opposition attorney informed AFP on Wednesday that over 600 individuals had been detained during post-election demonstrations.

Lawyer Erias Lukwago told AFP: “In all cases, our clients deny the accusations. Some say they were picked up at home by police and detained before appearing in court on charges they were not aware of.”