The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has hailed the release on bail of human rights lawyer, Nicholas Opiyo.
Opiyo had been jailed last week after being slapped with money laundering charges. He was however, released on bail on Wednesday by the High Court in Kampala.
Speaking on the development, the US embassy said it welcomed the release, arguing that ‘Civil society actors and human rights defenders play a vital role in educating the citizenry.’
It also warned that there will be consequences for those who undermine democracy.
“We welcome today’s release on bail of @NickOpiyo. 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 embassy tweeted.
Following his incarceration, US ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown, was among those who called for his release.
