Uganda: Kampala protests intensify
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April 29, 2011 (KAMPALA) – Uganda security forces are fighting running
battles with protesters in Kampala following what opposition
politicians describe as the “inhumane arrest” of the main opposition
leader Kizza Besigye on Thursday.
Demonstrations began early on Friday in several parts of Kampala as
news of the manner in which Besigye was detained by security forces on
Thursday dominate the local media.
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Protests hit Kampala, Uganda (Reuters)
Unconfirmed reports say three people are killed and over 80 others
injured. Roads leading to the city centred are blocked as protesters
burn tyres and police use teargas. Shops remain shut and transport is
interrupted. Friday’s protests were triggered by the arrest of Besigye
by plain clothes security officers who smashed the widow of his car,
fired in teargas and dragged him onto a police pickup truck. Besigye,
who was released on bail on Thursday, did not talk while appearing in
court.
Footage shown on local TV indicated that Besigye eyes were blinded by
teargases. Opposition leaders in parliament decry the manner in which
he was arrested. The acting leader of the opposition, Kassiano Wadri,
said his party was being subjected to oppression.
“The way Dr. Besigye was arrested was inhuman and pathetic. The
situation can be compared to James Bond’s films,” he told parliament
on Thursday as quoted by the Uganda’s newspaper, New Vision.
On 22 April police patrolled Kampala to prevent further commodity
price increases which began in April.
In March Kampala was subject to protests over the re-election of
Yoweri Museveni. He claimed his fourth term with 68.38 percent of the
vote. Four opposition leaders rejected the poll results on 24 February
2011.
Several arrests were made at today’s protests. At Ndejje University,
Kampala campus, one South Sudanese student identified as Kuach Kuach
was arrested, Government of South Sudan (GoSS) Liaison confirmed. Ador
Akok, the deputy principal of GoSS Liaison in Kampala, told the Sudan
Tribune his office will secure the release of the student once he is
charged in court. Kuach was allegedly arrested when protesters enter
the university campus alongside other students, but was not taking
part in the demonstration.
The Uganda protests are likely to lead to increases in the prices of
commodities which South imports, which is a large proportion of them.
(ST)
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