Uganda: Kampala protests intensify
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.
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)
Omoni jr
Uganda: Kampala protests intensify
i strongly support the protesters ,Yoweri regime mistreated Kizza Besigye like animal,and it is inhuman.
hell to museveni,
Ambago
Uganda: Kampala protests intensify
This comment: “The Uganda protests are likely to lead to increases in the prices of commodities which South imports, which is a large proportion of them” is what the GoSS should have thought of over the past six years.
Uganda is no better than South Sudan. It is also a land locked country , but the difference is that our people have addicted relief food and second hand food items grown by Uganda farmers. When will we grow our own crops and vegetables when we have a vast unpopulated land 13 times the size of available farm lands in Uganda?
This is lesson one and more are still to come.