Besigye held over Uganda protest

Kizza Besigye addresses reporters in Kampala, 19 FebruaryKizza Besigye has lost three elections to Yoweri Museveni
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Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been arrested after calling for people to walk to work in protest at recent fuel price increases.

A police spokeswoman said teargas was used to disperse a stone-throwing crowd which was blocking a road leading to the capital, Kampala.

Mr Besigye was defeated by President Yoweri Museveni in February’s election but says the poll was rigged.

The pair used to be allies but Mr Besigye says he is being intimidated.

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

As he was arrested, he told KFM radio: “We condemn this blatant abuse of human rights and use of violence on innocent people,” reports the Reuters news agency.

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

The police responded by banning public demonstrations.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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