UGANDA, 22, January, 2021, (TON): U.S. and the European Union have asked for probe into Uganda’s election violence albeit of the house arrest of the opposition leader, Bobi Wine.

Wine, 38, came second in the presidential election, which returned Yoweri Museveni to power for a sixth term, and has said he is cut off from his lawyers and party as the days tick by for him to challenge the vote in the courts.

The sixth term declared President Museveni amid an internet blackout and allegations of abuse, the opposition leaders and supporters have pointed out harassment by the state security through and after the elections.

As the U.S. ambassador Natalie Brown was accused of breaching diplomatic norms and failed in an attempt to meet the arrested leader, who cast his ballot in last Thursday’s dated 14th January, 2021, presidential elections which he said was riddled with fraud, the ambassador was up to some mischief said the government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo.

"We expect her to write to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to adhere to diplomatic norms. We don't think that a friendly country or someone who wants to help out in a difficult situation would act in this way," the spokesman told the media.

The embassy of the United States said Uganda's election campaign had been "marred by the harassment of opposition candidates, campaign staff, and supporters; suppression of the media and civil society organization activities; and a nationwide internet shutdown before, during, and after voting day."

"These unlawful actions and the effective house arrest of a presidential candidate continue a worrying trend on the course of Uganda's democracy."

In response, Opondo said he is "under the protection of the Uganda government" because he is the "target of many forces".

"It's in the interest of the Government of Uganda for him (Wine) not to be harmed in any way."

A hearing has been set for Thursday morning by the lawyers for Bobi Wine have asked the Ugandan High Court to order security forces to produce the opposition leader and either show a legitimate reason for his confinement or release him.

The European Union (EU) says it is concerned about the continued harassment of politicians and civil society activists in Uganda after last week's general election.

In a statement, the EU Council of Ministers called on the government to restrain its security agencies, investigate allegations of abuses and bring to account all those responsible for violations.

The EU ministers said the internet shutdown disrupted the work of journalists, observers and polling agents expected to monitor the election.

Election observers from the regional East African Community have echoed the concerns of the EU in their preliminary report. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) and the African Union said the elections were peaceful.