The Ugandan military on Tuesday withdrew from the Kampala home of National Unity Platform party leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).
The security personnel had marooned Bobi’s residence immediately after the January 14 election forcing the politician to protest. On his Twitter page on Friday, January 15, Bobi complained that the officers had surrounded his home and were intimidating his family. Not even his wife could dash to the garden to get vegetable. He said they were condemned to hunger and solitude.
The state maintained that their action was to ensure that Bobi does not organise for the protest against the 2021 election which he has so far failed to endorse.
But after the widespread protest the Ugandan High Court in Kampala ordered for the withdrawal of the officers on Monday enabling Wine to regain his freedom.
“Having found, as I do, that the restrictions imposed on the applicant (Kyagulanyi) are unlawful, it is hereby ordered that they are lifted. Consequently, an order for the restoration of the personal liberty of the applicant hereby issued,” Justice Michael Elubu said in a ruling as reported by the Ugandan press.
He termed the action by the government a serious infringement on the rights of Bobi. “Otherwise his continued detention at his home is illegal and an infringement on his personal liberties,” he said.
Despite the relieving court order, the state refused to heed. The officers continued their stay on his compound forcing him to tweet in protest again.
He stated, “The High Court ruled this morning that my continued house arrest (11 days now) is illegal and 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.’’
Last week, Bobi Wine through a Nigerian lawyer Femi Falana filed a case against arbitrary arrest to the UN Working Group to challenge his illegal detention. Boni is disputing the presidential outcome which President Yoweri Museveni won on over 5 million votes. Bobi himself finished second with 3.4 million votes (35 per cent) but alleged that there were cases of rigging that affected the outcome of the poll.
According to the Ugandan electoral laws, Bobi had four days to file a petition to challenge the result by Tuesday, January 26. The petition will then be heard and determined within a period of 45 days.