Finally, after holding him under house arrest for 11 days, security forces left the compound of Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi.
On Monday, a court in Uganda ordered the military and police to leave the residence of opposition leader Bobi Wine.
Ugandan authorities said Wine was only allowed to leave his home under military escort on the outskirts of the capital, Kampala, because they were afraid his public presence would provoke riots and he would organize protests.
But in the decision, a Ugandan judge claimed that Wine’s home is not a suitable detention facility and added that if he violates public order, authorities should criminally prosecute him.
Wine was detained by Ugandan soldiers in his own home, who made sure no one got in or out of the compound. His arrest came only after the January 14 election, when the incumbent president secured a historic sixth term to win a seat.
Wine’s team has yet to determine whether to appeal the results of the presidential vote. The submission deadline is February 2.
The security factor thwarted previous attempts by the U.S. ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown, to visit Bobi Wine at his home. Uganda later warned the U.S. not to mess with Uganda’s election process.
On Monday, the U.S. embassy in Kampala tweeted in support of the decision of the High Court to order the withdrawal of Uganda’s military from Wines’ residence.
Educator, writer and legal researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy.