Incumbent president Yoweri Museveni won the elections, officially with 58 percent of the vote, thus earning a sixth term as president.
Bobi Wine, who was Museveni's main challenger, has rejected the outcome, claiming fraud and intimidation. He has until 2 February to make a formal appeal against the result, but has been unable to meet with supporters and advisors because of his effective house arrest.
Among the first visitors to Wine's home after the departure of troops and police were several dozen of the recently-elected MPs from the National Unity Platform, Bobi Wine's political grouping.
Issuing the order for the security cordon to be withdrawn, the High Court judge Michael Elubu said that, if the government had evidence against Wine, he should face trial before a court, but not be held prisoner in his own home.
This has been the situation at my house these past days. Aside from the military and police surrounding us, military and police helicopters have been consistently hovering over our residence in breach of our privacy rights. Cowards! #WeAreRemovingADictator pic.twitter.com/8nr6nDCfeJ
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 26, 2021
The US Ambassador to Uganda, Natalie Brown, was among those who welcomed the court decision, saying that "freedom of expression, assembly and movement" were vital to any democratic society.
Ambassador Brown was among those prevented by security forces from visiting Wine at his home earlier this month.
The National Unity Platform says it has evidence of widespread irregularities in the poll. Museveni has praised the election as the most open and honest of Uganda's post-colonial history.
Bobi Wine has refused to recognise Museveni's victory, and has encouraged "the people of Uganda to use all legal and non-violent means and ideas that they have to free themselves from the Museveni dictatorship".
Army units continue to maintain roadblocks in the area around Wine's home, with police helicopters frequently hovering near the house.
