Uganda: Police attempt to stop opposition protests Article Comments (0) Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 22, 2011 (KAMPALA) – Police are patrolling the streets of Uganda’s capital, Kampala, in an effort to prevent an escalation of opposition led protest across the east Africa country. Leading opposition leaders are due to spend the Easter holidays in jail after being refused bail or deciding to refuse bail and stay in prison. Protests against increasing fuel and other commodities prices started on April 4 and began again on Thursday 24 with police not allowing protestors to enter the city center. Called ‘walk-to-work’, the demonstration has been labeled ‘unlawful’ by the Uganda government. Opposition leaders and their supporters have been walking to work on Mondays and Thursdays in protest at the price rises. Police usually arrest opposition politicians, who are charges in court and released on bail. But on Monday this week, Democratic Party President Robert Moa refused bail and was transferred to jail. Main opposition leader, Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), who was shot in the hand a week ago, joined Moa on Thursday after his bail application was referred by court for hearing next week. Both men will now spend Easter behind bars. On Thursday police were positioned at junctions on the way into Kampala. According to police and government officials, the aim is to shield protesters from interfering with business areas. Election in February were won by incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, which opposition claim were rigged. Police banned protest after demonstrations were planned by opposition groups. In March, opposition leaders agreed on a progam they called Agency for Change (A4C) including peaceful protest against increasing fuel prices amongst others. The government, including President Museveni, strongly dismiss opposition leaders’ claim and have vowed to stop any protest. In his national address on Thursday evening, Uganda President said the factors contributing to high fuels prices are due to external events such as the conflict in Libya. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
