Uganda: lifting of the house arrest of Bobi Wine

An Ugandan court ordered the militaries and police to leave the house of Bobi Wine who has not left his house since the presidential election day. The politician contests the results of the elections of which Yoweri Museveni was declared winner.

The state argued it needed to prevent him organising protests.

Bobi Wine alleges that the election, in which he won 35% of the vote as National Unity Platform leader, was rigged.

Uganda’s Electoral Commission said the vote was peaceful, but the European Union, United Nations and several rights groups have raised concerns. Aside from an African Union mission, no major international group monitored the vote.

Just after the vote, many soldiers have surrounded his house. Armed police and soldiers have been stationed outside the musician-turned-politician’s residence, not allowing anyone in or out.

The spokesperson of the police, Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso said they will respect the decision of the court.

What will Bobi Wine do next?

If the security forces withdraw immediately, Bobi Wine still has at least four days to file a court petition challenging the result of the vote.

In a Facebook Live address on Friday, Bobi Wine said that Ugandans had a right to protest if they so wished, though he did not outright call on his supporters to take to the streets.

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Let’s note that after the 2016’s elections, Kizza Besigye, who also challenged Yoweri Museveni was also kept under house arrest for more than two months.