webmaster
© Copyright DEHAI-Eritrea OnLine, 1993-2011
All rights reserved
From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Fri Apr 29 2011 - 20:45:50 EDT
http://www.news1130.com/news/world/article/219063--riots-erupt-in-uganda-capital-after-brutal-arrest-of-opposition-politician-1-dead-64-wounded
Riots
erupt in Uganda capital after brutal arrest of opposition leader; 2 dead,
120 wounded
Godfrey Olukya, The Associated PressApr 29, 2011 09:47:01 AM
KAMPALA, Uganda - Army troops and police fired live bullets at rioting
demonstrators in downtown Kampala on Friday, the first time the Uganda's
growing protest movement had reached the country's capital. Red Cross
officials said at least two people were killed and 120 wounded.
Rioters burned tires in downtown streets as security forces fired tear gas
and guns, and a Red Cross spokeswoman said 15 of the wounded and been hit by
live bullets. Battles between protesters and police were also reported
elsewhere around the country, including at Kasangati, just outside the
capital, where the country's top opposition leader lives.
The protests are the first serious demonstrations in sub-Saharan Africa
since a wave of anti-government protests swept leaders in Tunisia and Egypt
out of power. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has vowed repeatedly that
his government will not be taken down by protests.
Red Cross spokeswoman Catherine Ntabadde said at least two people were
killed and 120 people wounded. Ntabadde said at least 15 people had been
wounded by gunfire.
Uganda police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba said the police were working to
contain the demonstrations. She said she did not immediately have a casualty
figure.
It was impossible to estimate the size of the crowds taking part in the
protest, and police did not give an estimate.
The breakout of violence came one day after a brutal takedown of the
country's top opposition politician, Kizza Besigye. Police cracked open the
window of Besigye's vehicle and doused him with tear gas at close range
before bundling him into the back of a pickup truck and speeding off.
"They arrested him like a chicken thief. We cannot allow such things to
continue. Museveni must go," said Brown Ndese, one of the protesters.
Radio reports in Uganda quoted an aide to Besigye as saying that the
opposition leader was in poor health and that arrangements were being made
to fly him out of the country for treatment. Attempts to reach Besigye aides
for comment failed.
Besigye has held five "walk to work" demonstrations to protest rising prices
and what he calls a corrupt government. On Friday, demonstrators carried
posters praising Besigye, and questioned why police needed to use violence
to arrest him. Opposition members of parliament have demanded an explanation
from the government over his treatment.
Nabakooba said previously that Besigye was arrested for not following police
orders and for leading a chaotic demonstration that snarled traffic and saw
his supporters hurl stones at passing vehicles.
Earlier this month Besigye was shot in the right hand by what he says was a
rubber bullet fired by police. He now wears a thick white cast that reaches
halfway up his right arm.
Uganda's Daily Monitor newspaper reported on its website Friday that
military forces and police fired live ammunition and tear gas at
demonstrators in the eastern town of Mbale, some 200 miles (300 kilometres)
outside Kampala. Demonstrators fought back with rocks.
The U.S. Embassy in Uganda condemned the escalation of violence and called
on all protesters to obey the law and cease all destruction of property. The
U.S. said senior leaders needed to meet to calm the situation.
"The U.S. Mission in Uganda also urges the Government of Uganda to respect
the right of all citizens to peacefully express their views as enshrined by
Uganda's constitution. Above all, Ugandan authorities must avoid using
excessive force against civilians in this situation. Constructive dialogue
is needed now," the U.S. statement said.
Besigye came second in Uganda's February presidential election to Museveni.
It was his third straight loss to Museveni and threatened to end his
political career. But Uganda has seen huge price spikes in food and fuel in
recent months, giving Besigye — and his "walk to work" protests — a
political resurrection.
Museveni, Uganda's leader for the past 25 years, has vowed to crack down on
the protests. Official returns showed him winning 68 per cent of the
February vote, though Besigye says those returns were falsified and that
both he and Museveni got just under 50 per cent.
The top U.S. diplomat for Africa, Assistant Secretary of State for African
Affairs Johnnie Carson, said he spoke to Uganda's foreign minister on
Thursday.
"We have expressed our concern about what appears to be harassment of Dr.
Besigye," he said. "I have myself spoken to the Ugandan foreign minister
about this and have urged that the Ugandan government act both in a
responsible and civil fashion in dealing with the arrest of individuals
attempting to carry out peaceful protests."
Besigye told AP in an interview at his home last week that many Ugandans
face a "crisis of survival," that the health care system has broken down and
that young people cannot find jobs. He said that Museveni's government is
terrified of the protest marches, the reason he has been arrested for
walking toward the capital.
Besigye was the president's personal physician before being dismissed for
saying in 1999 the government was becoming a one-man dictatorship.
Uganda is a young country, with half its nearly 35 million citizens under
15. An estimated 1.2 million have HIV/AIDS. The average yearly income is
just $1,200, though many here have hopes — and fears — over newly discovered
oil that will soon be pumped. An oil curse has befallen several African
countries, providing more incentive for corrupt leaders to remain in power
in order to steal from public coffers.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----