US embassy warns Uganda days after ambassador Natalie Brown visited Museveni at Rwakitura

The US embassy in Kampala has warned of punitive action against Uganans hampering democracy shortly after the High Court granted gay rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo bail.

Court judge Jane Okuo Kajuga granted Opiyo, who has been in detention since December 22, Shs15m cash bail.

The US embassy was gladdened by Opiyo’s bail but warned Kampala would suffer consequences for human rights violations.

“We welcome today’s release on bail of Nicholas Opiyo. Civil society actors and human rights defenders play a vital role in educating the citizenry and must be allowed to carry out their work free from harassment. There will be consequences for those who undermine democracy”

The warning came days after President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni hosted US ambassador to Uganda Natalie Brown and Uganda’s permanent representative to the UN Adonia Ayebare at his country home of Rwakitura, Kiruhura District.

Although details of the discussions remain scanty, Museveni and his guests are believed to have talked about human rights violations, electoral violence and pressure on the US to free aid to Kampala and slap sanctions against top government and security officials.