Daily Monitor
Wednesday December 23 2020
Police said Tuesday that Nicholas Opiyo was arrested by a joint task team of security and financial intelligence on allegations of money laundering and related malicious acts. PHOTO/ FILE
Summary
Opio was picked was picked up by plain clothed security operative from a restaurant in Kamwokya on Tuesday where he was having lunch with his friends.
Dr Kizza Besigye, the former Forum for Democratic Change president also weighed in, saying that the arrest of Opiyo is not surprising since his home was broken into in September and communication devices picked.
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The United States (US) Mission has criticized the arrest of Human Rights Lawyer, Nicholas Opiyo and tasked the government to ensure his safety.
Donors turn up the pressure over Nicholas Opiyo arrest
December 23, 2020 Nicholas Opiyo at court earlier
Donors have turned up the pressure and tasked government over the mafia-style arrest of human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo.
Opiyo was picked from Lamaro restaurant in Kamwokya by plained-clothed security operatives while having lunch with colleagues. For several hours, his whereabouts remained unknown until later in the evening when police confirmed that his arrest had been conducted by the Special Investigations Division on allegations of money laundering and related malicious acts.
The US ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown describes the arrest as troubling I just met Opiyo and was impressed by his commitment to rule of law & to uplifting his fellow citizens. News of his arrest is troubling and I call on the Ugandan Government to ensure his safety and wellbeing. Civil society must be able to carry out its essential role i
Daily Monitor
Wednesday December 23 2020
This photo tweeted by DP presidential candidate Norbert Mao on December 23, 2020 shows (L-R) Kasese woman MP, Winnie Kiiza, detained human rights lawyer, Nicholas Opiyo and Mao himself at Special investigations Unit in Kireka.
PHOTO/ COURTESY
Summary
Mr Opiyo has built his name as a human rights defender and often times been at loggerheads with the government over a number of human rights abuses.
Mr Opiyo was reportedly arrested alongside other lawyers investigating the November 18th and 19th 2020 riots, in which over 50 people were shot dead during protests triggered by his arrest.
They include Herbert Dakasi, Anthony Odur and Esomu Obure and NUP s Human Rights Officer, Hamid Tenywa.