Uganda protest turns violent
2005-03-31 18:47
Kampala - Ugandan police used water cannons and tear gas to break up an opposition demonstration on Thursday, engaging in running battles with marchers protesting efforts to extend the president's tenure.
Riot police dispersed the protesters, who were denouncing plans to amend the constitution so that President Yoweri Museveni can run for a third term in office. Police spokesperson Asuman Mugenyi said the demonstration had not been authorised.
"They knew that we had stopped it, but they continued inciting people to come and participate in violence and in an illegal assembly," he said. Mugenyi said he didn't know how many protesters had been arrested or injured.
The demonstration was organised by a newly formed group known as Force For Change. Police authorised a demonstration last.
After the initial confrontation on Thursday, the protesters used concrete blocks to try to barricade Kampala's main street. They waved banners reading, "Museveni Go," "Respect the Constitution" and "United States Save Us."
Uganda is a close ally of the United States.
"Museveni is a dictator and he wants to rule for life. Why should he change the constitution? Why is he behaving like (former President) Idi Amin? We will force him out of power," Mary Namusisi, one of the demonstrators, said.
Under the current constitution, a president is limited two, five-year terms. Opposition politicians believe that proposed changes in the constitution are being tailored by the mainly pro-government parliament to allow Museveni to stand again and remain in power indefinitely.
- AP