[ad_1]
Following an order from the Ugandan High Court on Monday for security forces to withdraw from the area surrounding the Kampala residence of presidential candidate Bobi Wine, it appears the singer and opposition politician is now free to receive visitors and to leave his home for the first time since the presidential elections of January 14.
Outgoing President Yoweri Museveni won the election, officially with 58% of the vote, winning a sixth term as President.
Bobi Wine, who was Museveni’s main challenger, dismissed the result, citing fraud and intimidation. He has until February 2 to formally appeal against the result, but has been unable to meet with supporters and advisers due to his effective house arrest.
Among the first visitors to Wine’s house after the troops and police left were several dozen recently elected MPs from the National Unity Platform, Bobi Wine’s political grouping.
Issuing the order to remove the cordon, High Court Judge Michael Elubu said that if the government had evidence against Wine, he should be tried in court, but not held prisoner at home.
US Ambassador to Uganda Natalie Brown was among those who welcomed the court’s ruling, saying “freedom of speech, assembly and movement” was vital for any democratic society.
Ambassador Brown was among those prevented by security forces from visiting Wine at his home earlier this month.
The National Unity Platform says it has evidence of widespread irregularities in the ballot. Museveni hailed the election as the most open and honest in Uganda’s postcolonial history.
Bobi Wine refused to recognize Museveni’s victory and urged “the Ugandan people to use all legal and non-violent means and ideas at their disposal to free themselves from the Museveni dictatorship”.
Army units continue to maintain roadblocks in the area around Wine’s house, with police helicopters frequently hovering near the house.
Source link
