Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was arrested in connection with the death of a police officer during a riot in Kampala yesterday, a police spokesman said.
Since losing a presidential election in February last year to long-time leader Yoweri Museveni, Mr Besigye has led a series of often violent protest to protests against high food and fuel prices in the east African country.
Once a close ally of Mr Museveni, who has been in power for 25 years, Mr Besigye has stood against him for the presidency three times, but has lost every time and is now the president’s most prominent opponent.
Police said Mr Besigye was detained following the death of the police officer, who was hit by a rock when police moved in to disperse a crowd that had gathered in the capital, where the mayor and opposition politicians including Mr Besigye were meeting.
The Uganda police force confirmed that a police officer was killed: “We have arrested 16 suspects including Besigye. They’re being held at various police stations in Kampala and they will be produced in court at an appropriate time,” said a spokeswoman. – (Reuters)