Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has revealed that he fled the country after January’s disputed election because he feared for his life.
In an interview with the BBC from an undisclosed location, Wine said it was clear that the regime wanted to eliminate him.
Wine, who is also a pop star, had been in hiding for two months before leaving the country was heading for chaos if Wine was not declared winner.
He alleged that the election was rigged in favor of President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
Museveni, 81, won the election with 72% of the vote and accused the opposition of seeking to overturn the results through violence. Wine’s party, the National Unity Platform, has been facing persecution, with many of its members arrested or forced into hiding.
In the interview, Wine expressed fears for his supporters, including his deputy, Lina Zedriga, who he named as his temporary successor. He also called for targeted international sanctions against Museveni and his regime.
Wine’s decision to flee the country has sparked concerns about the safety of opposition politicians and the state of democracy in Uganda. Museveni’s government has denied allegations of persecution, but Wine’s claims have been supported by human rights groups.
Bobi Wine is a popular musician and politician who has been a vocal critic of President Museveni’s government. He ran for president in the January election, promising to bring about change and reform to the country.
