Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine 'shot in the leg by police'

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine, a leading critic of authoritarian President Yoweri Museveni, was shot in the leg by police on Tuesday, according to his party, but police said he stumbled and hurt himself while getting into his car.

A statement on Wine's official account on X said the incident took place in Bulindo in central Uganda.

"This evening as our President returned from Bulindo... where he had gone to check on one of our lawyers, Musisi George, the police and military... surrounded our vehicles and started firing live bullets, teargas canisters and other projectiles," it said.

"In the process, our President #BobiWine who was clearly targeted was shot in the leg. He is currently being attended to by a team of medical doctors. This is yet another attempt on the life of our President by the Museveni regime!" it added.

The circumstances surrounding the incident at Bulindo, around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the capital Kampala, were unclear.

Uganda's police force said on X that Wine and his "team embarked on a procession up to Bulindo town; however, the police advised against it.

"Despite their guidance, he insisted on proceeding and closing the road, leading to police intervention to prevent the procession. During the ensuing altercation, it is alleged that he sustained injuries. Police officers on site claim he stumbled while getting into his vehicle, causing the injury" it said, adding that however Wine's "team assert that he was shot.

"An investigation will be conducted to clarify the facts," it said. "The police will investigate the alleged shooting and any related incidents".

Videos on social media showed the 42-year-old pop star turned politician being carried by members of his NUP party with blood flowing from the left tibia.

Wine was shown grimacing in pain.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, and his National Unity Platform (NUP) have been a thorn in the side of Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly 40 years.

Wine challenged the 79-year-old head of state in presidential elections in 2021, when Museveni was re-elected for a sixth term with 58 percent of the ballot in a vote Wine denounced as a masquerade.

The campaign was marked by intimidation, opposition arrests and violence.

Before that, at least 54 were killed during protests in November 2020 after Wine was arrested.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the United States was "concerned" that the "democratic space continues to shrink" in Uganda

"Harassment of opposition voices and continued human rights abuses damage prospects for Uganda's progress and its partnership with the international community," Miller told reporters.

Wine has been detained several times and rallies by his party have been violently dispersed.

A documentary on Wine's campaign for that election called "Bobi Wine: The People's President" was named for the Oscars in February.

In July, Wine had called for people to support the anti-corruption demonstrations.

Graft is a major issue in Uganda, with several scandals involving public officials. The country is ranked a lowly 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International's corruption index.

Ugandan authorities are regularly singled out for criticism by human rights organisations.