After 11 days of being stuck under arrest within his own home, Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine, can finally breathe a sigh of relief, following a court order.
The Security forces raided the home of Bobi Wine, in the heat of the just concluded Ugandan Elections, as he was deemed to be causing public unrest and “inciting” violence. These security forces then proceeded to keep him under house arrest indefinitely.
On Monday, January 25th, a judge finally ruled in favor of Bobi Wine, subsequently issuing a court order for the withdrawal of security forces from Bobi Wine’s residence.
Following the withdrawal of Armed Forces from Bobi Wine’s residence, Ugandan authorities stated that he could only leave his home, in Kampala, under military escort because they fear his presence in public could incite rioting and he could organize protests.
The Ugandan judge who issued the order for his release, however said in the ruling that Bobi Wine’s home is not a proper detention facility and added that authorities should criminally charge him if he threatens public order.
Wine was detained in his own house by Ugandan soldiers who ensured no one got in or out of the compound, shortly after the January 14 election where the incumbent president, Yoweri Museveni, won to secure the seat for a record sixth term,amid allegations of election rigging.
BOBI WINE’S NEXT COURSE OF ACTION
Bobi Wine and his camp have not yet released any official statement to the effect of contesting the final results of the presidential elections, however there are speculations that he would not back down, and is very likely to challenge the final result of the polls.
Wine’s team now have the opportunity to meet and decide on the next course of action, as they have been unable to meet because of the house arrest. They have the window between Tuesday, January 26th and Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021, to contest or appeal the election results.
In the light of the events and incidents surrounding this election period, it might be a tall order for Bobi Wine to take any further action after losing several members of his camp to violence by the State’s security forces, his (and his wife’s) multiple arrest and harassment from agents of Museveni’s camp, and finally, his unlawful detention in his own home.
There exists the possibility, however, that all these happenings would only further fuel the fire of Bobi Wine’s fight against the oppression of the incumbent government, as it would not be the first of such happening in history.
Time, eventually will tell, how things progress from the current status quo. It is noteworthy that no statements or actions have been exchanged between Bobi Wine’s and President Museveni’s camp.
By Oluwamayowa Akinyemi
Oluwamayowa Akinyemi is a digital and web content developer with experience in web content development and management as well as research and writing. He is an avid reader of random subject matters and a sucker for movies and video games. He is also passionate about youth empowerment and is a global affairs analyst and enthusiast.
