Uganda arrests opposition leaders over protest

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has reportedly been arrested a after police tear-gassed a group of his supporters who were protesting the rising costs of fuel.

“He was arrested after blocking a road leading into Kampala," police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba told AFP. "Police tried to move him on but he resisted.

“Teargas was used to disperse a rowdy crowd that was throwing stones," she added.

The “walk-to-work” protest had been banned by the police at the weekend.

On his arrest Besigye called out: “We condemn this blatant abuse of human rights and use of violence on innocent people.”

Besigye disputed the results of a presidential election in February won by long-standing leader Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986 but facing only his third competitive ballot this year. Besigye won just 26% of the vote against Museveni’s 68%.

According local radio station KFM Norbert Mao, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, was also arrested.

Before elections in February Besigye had said Uganda was ripe for “Egypt-style” protests but his call has largely fallen on deaf ears.


 

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