Nicholas Opiyo. Courtesy Photo
Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo’s arrest over money laundering happened at least three months since unknown people broke into his house.
A joint security taskforce and officials from the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) arrested Opiyo at Lamaro Restaurant in Kamwokya, Kampala on December 22.
He was detained at the Special Investigations Division headquarters in Kireka.
The arrest has been condemned by political leaders and human rights advocates.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) called for the immediate release of Opiyo hours after his arrest.
Prominent opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye described the arrest as a kidnap and “part of the terror associated with Mr Museveni rigging the 2021 election to keep power after 35 years of misrule.”
Yet there were all pointers Opiyo was under security surveillance and would soon or later be arrested.
In early September 2020, his house was broken into.
“Opiyo Colleagues, my house was broken into last night by unknown individuals who stole my laptop, phones, other electronics and several other items,” the lawyer said on September 09.
Besigye says “the arrest of Nicholas isn’t surprising. His home was broken into in September and communications devices “stolen”- no prize for guessing who did it.”
Some media reports claimed the raid on Opiyo’s house was commanded by top officials from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).
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