Factcheck: On 16 January 2026, National Unity Platform (NUP) President and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, was reportedly abducted by Ugandan army forces following election day. The claims quickly drew international attention and were widely reported by major global media outlets including Skynews, Al Jazeera and the BBC. and CNN.
However, on Saturday 16 January, Uganda Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke dismissed the abduction claims made by Kyagulanyi’s family, describing them as false. Days later, on 20 January, Kyagulanyi appeared in an interview with Al Jazeera where he stated that he was in hiding following a raid by security forces on his home. The circumstances surrounding his decision to go into hiding remain unclear. Police later said that the deployment of security personnel at his residence was in line with their security interests.
Factjaja conducted a thorough investigation into the claims reported by various media organisations. By analysing images of a helicopter that was reported by various western medias using reverse Image search and discover that the darkened image was doctored from the 2021 election period.
Factjaja followed patterns of alleged abductions followed by resurfacing through media interviews and found that the claim of a military abduction was false and fabricated.
Factjaja continues to monitor potential claims circulating both from verified sources and government-controlled agencies. Through in-depth and independent reporting, the organisation remains committed to publishing accurate and verified information.
Ugandans are encouraged to submit any suspicious or questionable claims during and after the election via WhatsApp on +256 779 325 733 or by email at editor@factjaja.com
