[ 2011-04-14 ]

Dr Besigye was arrested on Monday, charged with inciting violence and later released

Uganda: Politician Kizza Besigye shot in arm at protest
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been
injured after the military opened fire to disperse
protesters in the capital, Kampala.

For the second time this week, the opposition
asked people to walk to work to protest against
rising prices.

Police had tried to arrest Dr Besigye but hundreds
of his supporters surrounded him.

Eyewitnesses say the army then stepped in and
during the effort to arrest him he was shot in the
arm.

The injured opposition leader was then driven away
by the military.

Dr Besigye was defeated by President Yoweri
Museveni in February's presidential election but
says the poll was rigged.

Before the vote, he had called for Egypt-style
uprisings in case of fraud.

The police responded by banning public
demonstrations.

Barricades
Several opposition politicians were arrested by
the police in other parts of Kampala as they took
part in the "walk-to-work" protest.

Opposition supporters tried to set up barricades
and the police have also sealed off many roads in
Kampala.

Protests against high food and fuel prices are
also taking place in other towns.

The BBC's East Africa correspondent Will Ross says
opposition started the walk-to-work campaigns on
Monday, aware that any attempt to demonstrate in
one place would be swiftly broken up by police.

Those who participated were small in number.

Opposition politicians, including Dr Besigye, were
arrested, charged with inciting violence and later
released.

Monday's police action was widely condemned by
human rights groups and foreign embassies.

The Uganda Law Society said restrictions on
constitutional freedoms were turning Uganda into a
police state.

Dr Besigye has been defeated by Mr Museveni in
three presidential elections, gaining 26% to the
president's 68% in February.

The pair used to be allies - Dr Besigye was once
Mr Museveni's personal physician.

Source - BBC

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