MK254
JF-Expert Member
- May 11, 2013
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1. Police fire tear gas, stun grenades at Besigye party HQ
2. Museveni, in power since 1986, in lead with 62 per cent
3. Opposition dispute early results, allege vote rigging
Police on Friday arrested Uganda's main opposition candidate Kizza Besigye and fired tear gas at his supporters as early results from the presidential election showed President Yoweri Museveni set to extend his 30-year grip on power.
While Museveni has presided over notable economic growth, critics - especially the young - accused him of not tackling corruption or creating jobs and of acting increasingly like an autocrat, and forecast the vote would be rigged.
Police in capital Kampala set off stun grenades and loosed tear gas volleys outside the headquarters of Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party as tensions rose after a largely peaceful ballot held a day earlier.
Besigye was later detained for the third time this week, being bundled into the back of a police van along with several of his supporters, according to a Reuters witness.
His arrest on Monday contributed to chaos in Kampala as police and Besigye supporters fought running battles. One person died and 19 were wounded as police fired bullets and tear gas, while Besigye supporters responded by hurling rocks.
Early results showed Museveni, a Western ally against security threats including militants, with a sizeable lead of 62 per cent based on a count of ballots in 37 per cent of polling stations. Besigye trailed with 33.5 per cent of the vote.
Dan Mugarura, a senior FDC official, said the party disputed the released results as there were "glaring discrepancies" compared to reports from polling stations.
Besigye, who challenged the 71-year-old Museveni unsuccessfully in three previous elections, has repeatedly insisted the election would not be free and fair and on Thursday accused the government of manipulating the vote.
Late on Thursday afternoon, Besigye was briefly detained in Kampala for alleged criminal trespass and assault.
Besigye arrested for third time as Museveni takes lead in Uganda poll
