Ugandan security forces withdraw from Bobi Wine’s home

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“They are leaving now, we hope this does not change later in the day,” said George Musisi.

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The Ugandan Supreme Court has ordered security forces to end Wine’s house arrest on Monday.

Judge Michael Elubu, who heads the civil division of the court, said that if the government had evidence against Wine, he should be charged in court and not “unjustly kept at his home,” Musisi said.

Wine, a popular singer, was the main front runner of the opposition in the January 14 presidential election, and his house has been surrounded by the military and police since the election.

President Yoweri Museveni was declared winner of the election by the country’s electoral commission for a record sixth term amid allegations of fraud and manipulation.

Wine dismisses the election results, saying he has evidence of fraud and intimidation.

Wine’s team will decide today whether to appeal the election results. Wine’s team had hoped to make a decision earlier, but were unable to meet due to house arrest, Musisi added.

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The deadline for this is on February 2.

The US Embassy in Uganda welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling, saying it “underscores the role of an impartial judiciary.”

“Freedom of expression, assembly and movement must be respected for all in a democratic society,” he said in a tweet on Monday.

US Ambassador Natalie E. Brown was banned from visiting Wine on Jan. 18 when she went to check his health and safety, she said in a Facebook post.

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