Uganda’s Bobi Wine Released From House Arrest

Ugandan opposition MP Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as popular musician Bobi Wine, was released from house arrest on Thursday of last week. 

The police, who prevented the musician-turned-politician from leaving his house after cancelling a scheduled concert of his on Monday on security grounds, described the move as a preventative measure.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga was quoted by AFP at the time as stating that Kyagulanyi “planned to disrupt public order”, and that officers would continue to hold their position outside of his home until further notice.

Following the end to the measures Enanga told local media, "It was just a preventive measure of seeing that he does not jeopardise national security. He is free and we have also withdrawn from his home."

However, the story is not over with Enanga also indicating that the police are working on a summons for Kyagulanyi. "We said we would let him free when we see that he was not a threat, have you seen any threat? If we wanted him, by the time we realised he was out, we would have pursued him. We are, however, working on summons to have him record a statement at CID. We shall go through Parliament since he is an honourable," Enanga stated.

The opposition MP recently announced his interest in contesting the next presidential elections expected in 2021.

Last week the United States criticised the Government for its heavy-handed approach to opposition, with the US embassy in Kampala stating, "Strong leaders and states do not stifle speech -- they allow their citizens to participate fully and without fear in a vibrant multi-party democracy."