Besigye's arrest sparks riots

2005-11-16 11:13

Kampala - Ugandan police and troops firing live and plastic bullets fought running battles with protesters angered by the arrest on treason charges of the president's main political rival.

Kizza Besigye appeared in court on Tuesday, a day after his arrest. Elsewhere in Kampala, his supporters ransacked businesses, burned tires and threw stones and other objects at security forces in the central business district.

Private radio station, Central Broadcasting Service, reported that police shot dead at least one person who was trying to break into a shop.

However, Asuman Mugenyi of police said the man died from a gunshot wound he had after a guard from a private security firm fired his weapon to stop him from breaking into a shop.

Foreign diplomats

The dead man was among six people who were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries they had during the protests. He said police arrested 57 people during the riots.

Supporters, some shouting condemnation of President Yoweri Museveni and the proceedings, foreign diplomats and opposition politicians attended Besigye's court hearing.

A district magistrate ruled that prosecutors had enough evidence to back charges of treason - which carried the death penalty - concealment of treason and rape against Uganda's main opposition leader.

Museveni denied opposition claims that Besigye was charged in an effort to eliminate a credible opponent from next year's presidential elections.

Capital offences

Museveni said: "Besigye has to prove his innocence because he is charged before the courts of law."

Chief magistrate Margareth Tiburya transferred the case to the High Court for trial, because the lower court didn't have powers to try capital offences.

The magistrate also ordered Besigye to remain in custody at Luzira Maximum Security Prison until the High Court fixed a trial date.

Besigye, who was greeted by huge crowds after he returned from exile last month and had mounted the strongest challenge to Museveni's 19-year rule, was accused of recruiting, funding and arming rebels with the help of neighbouring Rwanda, Congo and Sudan.

People's Redemption Army

Besigye had denied past accusations from the government that he led the People's Redemption Army and had links with separate rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army.

The People's Redemption Army was described as a group of armed Ugandan dissidents based in the east of neighbouring Congo. Those insurgents had never attacked Uganda's territory or interests.

The cult-like Lord's Resistance Army was notorious for kidnapping children and using them as soldiers or concubines.

It was made up of the remnants of a northern insurgency that begun after Museveni, who like Besigye was a southerner, first took power.

The rebels had declared they wanted to replace Museveni's government with one guided by the Ten Commandants.

- AP