Uganda ends house arrest of opposition leader Bobi Wine

Ugandan troops have withdrawn from around the home of opposition leader and pop star Bobi Wine, ending his house arrest since the January 14 election, won by long-serving President Yoweri Museveni.

The withdrawal of security forces, which the government had said were for Bobi Wine’s protection, complied with a court order on Monday.

The court had termed his confinement to house “unlawful”.

A correspondent of Reuters news agency on the scene confirmed the move, though Bobi Wine was yet to appear by mid-morning at his large compound in a leafy northern suburb of the capital Kampala.

Bobi Wine, 38, had been besieged at home since voting in the presidential poll where he rode a wave of youth disillusionment to challenge Museveni’s 34-year rule.

The incumbent was declared the winner with 59 percent of votes versus 35 percent for Bobi Wine, who had for years denounced corruption and nepotism in his songs. The opposition rejected the result, alleging fraud which the government denies.

With the election behind him and fraud claims by Bobi Wine failing to gain traction, Museveni appears to be calculating that he can mollify pressure from Western allies to free his rival without significant risk to his power base.

source: Aljazeera