Police in Uganda have detained a top ally of opposition leader Bobi Wine, accusing him of involvement in violent clashes in a rural area of central Uganda during last week’s elections.
Muwanga Kivumbi, a lawmaker and deputy president of Wine’s National Unity Platform, may face criminal charges over unrest in his constituency that left seven people dead, police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke said.
The fatalities occurred when unidentified security forces opened fire on Kivumbi’s home in Butambala. Speaking at the funerals, Kivumbi wept as he described the victims as casualties of violence carried out by the armed forces.
READ ALSO: Ugandan opposition leader Besigye faces critical health crisis in jail, party says
Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has gone into hiding after President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, was officially declared the winner of Thursday’s presidential vote.
Museveni received 71.6% of the vote, while Wine, his closest rival, took 24.7%. Wine has rejected the results, calling them fraudulent.
In a televised address on Sunday, Museveni accused the opposition of provoking violence on election day, claiming that those killed in Butambala had attacked police with machetes. He urged religious leaders to guide young people away from acts of violence.
Rusoke said Wine is not a target and that authorities are not attempting to harm him.
“We protected Bobi Wine through the entire election,” he said. “Why would he be unsafe after the end of the election? Logically there is no locus.”
He added, “Against Wine there is no accusation.”
However, some of the 21 people detained in connection with Butambala’s election violence have implicated Kivumbi, who failed to retain his parliamentary seat, AP reported.
“There were running battles between police and his supporters,” Rusoke said.
Uganda’s vote was disrupted by a multi-day internet blackout and malfunctioning biometric voter ID machines, delaying polling in areas including the capital, Kampala. Wine has also alleged that ballot boxes were tampered with in regions considered Museveni strongholds.
READ ALSO: Museveni secures seventh term as Bobi Wine rejects Uganda’s disputed election result
Throughout the campaign, security forces closely monitored Wine. He claimed authorities followed him, harassed his supporters, and frequently used tear gas. Wine campaigned wearing a flak jacket and helmet for protection.
At 81, Museveni will begin a seventh five-year term, moving closer to five decades in power. His supporters praise him for maintaining peace and stability that has made Uganda a refuge for people fleeing conflict in neighboring countries.
Museveni has not announced plans to retire, and no rivals challenge him within the ruling National Resistance Movement. Uganda has not seen a peaceful presidential transfer of power since gaining independence from Britain six decades ago.
READ ALSO: Uganda election violence leaves seven dead amid disputed vote and opposition crackdown
