Bobi Wine 'under house arrest' after return to Uganda

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has said he was "grabbed" by "goons" and put under house arrest on his return from South Africa.

The singer-turned-politician is the strongest challenger to President Yoweri Museveni, who has held office for almost 40 years.

The 41-year-old has been arrested numerous times and has faced several charges, including treason.

Police denied arresting Bobi Wine, saying he was merely "escorted" home.

"Disregard rumours of his arrest by propagandists," the police said in a statement.

Bobi Wine, a former pop star whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, made a failed bid for the presidency in 2021 in a tense election against President Museveni, 79.

The election campaign was marked by a crackdown on the opposition and at least 54 people were killed during anti-government demonstrations.

Bobi Wine arrived on Thursday, via the Rwandan capital, Kigali, following a series of international engagements.

His ers had planned to welcome him at Entebbe International Airport and accompany him to his home about 50 km (30 miles) away in a huge march, but the police said this was illegal.

Bobi Wine said that as soon as he landed, even before he had gone through immigration, "goons grabbed me and dragged me, twisted my hands and bundled me into a waiting private car".

He later said from his home that he was under house arrest.

A video posted by his National Unity Platform (NUP) on X, formerly Twitter, showed the leader being led away after disembarking from a plane in Entebbe. One of his associates was heard on the video saying "Where are you taking him":[]}