Bobi Wine, the head of the opposition in Uganda, revealed on Thursday that he was detained by security personnel upon his return from a vacation overseas and that he was now under house arrest.
In Uganda's most recent election in 2021, pop star-turned-politician Wine campaigned against seasoned President Yoweri Museveni and has since been detained multiple times.
"They picked me illegally, as you saw, and as we speak right now, I'm under house arrest. Soldiers and police are all over," Wine told journalists at his home north of the capital, Kampala.
"As soon as I landed, goons grabbed me, dragged me, twisted my hands, and bundled me into a waiting private car. They drove me to the old airport, pulling me out and putting me in a military vehicle with many soldiers and police officers.
Did you read this?
"It was very humiliating," said Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi.
Additionally, he said 300 of his supporters had been detained, but he provided no further information, and AFP could not independently verify his allegation.
Police claimed they had "escorted" Wine, 41, from Uganda's Entebbe International Airport to his home and denied that he had been detained.
"We wish to inform the public that the NUP president, Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert was successfully escorted by our security team from Entebbe to his home in Magere," the Uganda Police Force said on X, formally Twitter.
"He reached his home around 11:20 am, and is with his family and friends. Disregard rumours of his arrest by propagandists."
Wine's National Unity Platform (NUP) tweeted a video of him being detained by security guards as soon as he got off the plane, with a man constantly yelling, "Where are you taking him, where are you taking him."
The police had stated that it was unlawful for Wine's fans to gather and follow him to his home.
The so-called "preventative arrest" practice is not new to Ugandan authorities, who frequently detain opposition figures for several hours before releasing them to go home and prevent large-scale protests.
Due to concerns about public order, Ugandan police stated last month that they would forbid nationwide demonstrations organized by the National Unity Platform.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda with an iron fist since 1986, faced against Wine in a heated presidential race in 2021.
At least 54 people were killed during anti-government demonstrations during the election campaign, characterized by repression of the opposition.
Wine arrived in the country via the Rwandan capital, Kigali, after touring to promote the National Geographic TV documentary "Bobi Wine: The People's President" about him.
