Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine said on Tuesday morning, that soldiers raided his home and arrested his security guards, just two days to the elections.
“The army has this morning raided my home, arrested all my security guards and anyone they could see around my premises,” Wine, who is the opposition frontrunner, said on his official Twitter handle.
“No reason for the arrest was given,” he added.
Ugandans head to the polls on Thursday for the general elections after a campaign period that was marked by violence which has led to the death dozens of people.
After 35 years in power, the current President Yoweri Museveni is seeking his sixth elected term in office.
Museveni 76, faces 10 challengers, most notably the pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Ugandan security forces have severally been accused by human rights groups, of using excessive force to break up opposition rallies during the campaign.
But the government denies any wrong doing, saying such strong measures are necessary to ensure people comply with a ban on large crowds imposed to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Bobi Wine is regarded as the biggest challenge to President Museveni’s rule. The singer has been able to mobilised a large following of young people who have not previously been involved in politics.
He has strongly criticised the president in the past and accused him of “fearing the people”.
Not taking this challenge lightly, the president has accused Bobi Wine of being a foreign agent of those “who don’t like the stability and independence of Uganda” and said that young people are being misled by opposition figures to get involved in violence on the campaign trail.
Bobi Wine has been arrested several times since he became involved in politics. He has spoken of a “revolution” against Mr Museveni. He has posted on Twitter using the hashtag “WeAreRemovingADictator”.
Part of Bobi Wine’s popularity comes down to his age. At 38, he is just about half the age of President Museveni.