Leave Bobi Wine's compound, court orders army and police

Bobi Wine

Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, explains how uniformed personnel entered through his home's gate in Magere, Uganda, on January 15, 2021.

Photo credit: Yasuyoshi Chiba | AFP

A High Court has ordered Ugandan police and army officers to vacate the premises of popstar-cum-politician Bobi Wine.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, the court also found that the continued detention of the opposition politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is unlawful and unconstitutional. 

Wine has been holed up at his home in Magere after a disputed election returned President Yoweri Museveni to office for a sixth term.

He has not left his home since he cast his ballot on Thursday January 14. He was prevented from leaving the premises from Friday as soldiers and police surrounded the compound.

Bobi Wine, explains how uniformed personnel entered through his home's gate in Magere, Uganda, on January 15, 2021.

Security forces are seen at the house of Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, in Magere, Uganda, on January 16, 2021, ahead of Uganda's election results announcement. 

Photo credit: File | AFP

The soldiers are also preventing anyone from entering or leaving. A planned visit by the US Ambassador to Uganda, for instance, aborted after security officials blocked Amb Natalie Brown from seeing him.

Later, the government accused the envoy of breaching diplomatic norms over her attempt to visit.

"We expect her to write to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to adhere to diplomatic norms. We don't think that a friendly country or someone who wants to help out in a difficult situation would act in this way," State spokesman Ofwono Opondo told AFP at the time.

Bobi Wine, explains how uniformed personnel entered through his home's gate in Magere, Uganda, on January 15, 2021.

Two soldiers stand in the bush next to the gate of the house of Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, in Magere, Uganda, on January 15, 2021.

Photo credit: File | AFP