Ugandan Court Grants Bail to Security Chief Seeking Presidency

(Bloomberg) -- A Ugandan court agreed on bail for a former security minister seeking to unseat President Yoweri Museveni that has been detained for two months on charges of treason and the unlawful possession of firearms.

Retired Lieutenant General Henry Tumukunde was granted bail by the High Court Criminal Division in Kampala, judiciary spokesman Solomon Muyita said by phone. His initial request nearly a month ago was rejected.

Tumukunde, who was dropped from cabinet in 2018, was arrested less than two weeks after he announced plans to challenge the long-ruling Museveni at February 2021 elections.

His arrest followed alleged comments on radio and television that sought to foster hatred, spark violence as well as solicit support from a neighboring country to topple the current government, according to police.

Museveni, 75, has ruled Africa’s second-biggest coffee producer since January 1986. He’s eligible for re-election after lawmakers abolished an age limit for presidential candidates in 2017.

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