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Uganda tense as Museveni leads polls

Saturday, 20 February 2016 10:39 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 20 February 2016 10:38 AM ]

A supporter of Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye looks out from behind a gate of Besigye’s office in Kampala, Feb. 19, 2016. ©Reuters

Uganda’s security forces have put the main opposition presidential candidate under house arrest as vote counting is underway after last week’s disputed elections.

Ugandan police took “preventive measures” against Kizza Besigye in a bid to stem further violence, The Associated Press quoted police spokesman Fred Enanga as saying on Saturday.

Besigye, a 59-year-old doctor, is among seven opposition candidates hoping to end President Yoweri Museveni’s 30-year rule.

On Friday, police raided the headquarters of Besigye’s party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), firing tear gas and using water cannon at a crowd outside.

Police stormed into the building and took Besigye to an unknown location, claiming they wanted to prevent him from unilaterally proclaiming his vote score. He was later taken to his house overnight.

Police arrest protesters after they express their support for opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Kampala, Uganda, February 19, 2016. ©AFP

“We have to contain the situation,” Enanga said, adding, “We have reasonable cause to prevent him from promoting actions of violence.”

Besigye’s FDC, however, has accused the Ugandan government of massive vote rigging and deliberately stalling voting in areas seen as opposition strongholds.

On Thursday, Uganda held presidential and parliamentary elections marred by sporadic violence, late delivery of polling materials and a government shutdown of social media.

Supporters of opposition leader Kizza Besigye run in front of burned barricade in Kampala, Uganda, February 19, 2016. ©Reuters

Partial results from about 83 percent of the vote show Museveni leading with over 61 percent of votes against Besigye’s 34 percent, according to Uganda’s Election Commission.

The full tally is expected to be published within the next few hours.

Museveni, who took power by force in 1986, is considered as a key US ally on security matters.

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