Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine saw his house arrest lifted by the courts on Monday, January 25.
Unsuccessful presidential candidate who marked the victory for a sixth term of incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, he is blocked in his residence on the outskirts of Kampala, the capital, by armed forces who have surrounded his home since the elections of 14 January.
Heavily armed soldiers and police surround the house and prevent its residents, including Bobi Wine's wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, from getting out.
Last week, the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda was barred from visiting Bobi Wine, who won around 35% of the presidential vote, according to official results.
With his real name Robert Kyagulanyi, this former ragga singer turned politician is now considered the leader of the opposition.
"The petitioner's continued and indefinite (travel) restriction in his home is illegal and his right to liberty has been impeded," Judge Michael Elubu, of the Civil Division of the Ugandan High Court of Justice, a tribunal said on Monday. from Kampala.
"These restrictions being considered illegal, we order that they be lifted," he added.
Maintaining armed forces
The Ugandan government justified this house arrest by the need to ensure "the protection" of Bobi Wine and to avoid opposition demonstrations, the candidate having described the election as a "masquerade" and rejected his results.
Bobi Wine denounced in a tweet early Monday afternoon the maintenance of armed forces in front of his house despite this decision.
"The High Court ruled this morning that my extended house arrest (11 days now) is illegal and unconstitutional," he wrote on Twitter.
"Several hours later, the soldiers still surround my house, blocking access to everyone! Perhaps (as always) they are waiting for General Museveni's orders on the procedure to follow," he continues.
The High Court ruled this morning that my continued house arrest (11 days now) is illegal & unconstitutional.
Several hours later, the military still surrounds my home, blocking access to all!
Perhaps (as always) waiting for Gen.
Museveni's orders on the next course of action.
- BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 25, 2021
It has happened in the past that the armed forces have ignored judicial orders concerning the release of individuals, or have re-arrested people who had just been released.
With AFP
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