16 February 2016•Update: 19 February 2016
By Halima Athumani
KAMPALA, Uganda
One of the main challengers to Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni in this week’s election has been released after being arrested for the second time on Monday.
Dr. Kizza Besigye, who aims to end Museveni’s 30-year rule in Thursday’s poll was first arrested at a rally in capital Kampala at around midday after police fired tear gas to disperse supporters.
Police argued Besigye had failed to conduct his final rallies in an orderly and timely manner.Uganda police spokesman Fred Enanga in a statement said: “Dr Besigye and his supporters wanted to hold a heavy procession through the heart of the City, a modality which was not agreed upon with the Police.
”He was then taken to Kira Road police station in an escort of five patrol cars and later taken home. But Besigye returned to town where he was again arrested as he headed for his afternoon rallies in Kampala late afternoon."
"Police using tear gas and rubber bullets clashed with his supporters in central Kampala to disperse them."
Running battles took place in Kampala between police and the opposition as Besigye’s car was held up and he was prevented from addressing further rallies. At Wandegeya roundabout, a major road junction in north Kampala, Besigye’s car was surrounded by riot police who attached a chain to the vehicle to tow it away using a police armored car.
Besigye was taken to Wandegeya Police station. He was released in the evening. Security officials at the police station declined to comment when asked why he was arrested again.
According to police spokesman Enanga, one person has been confirmed dead and 21 arrested in Kampala.
Irene Nakasiita an official with the Uganda Red Cross society also told Anadolu Agency that 11 injured, including one pregnant woman who suffered from teargas inhalations, had been sent to the hospital.
In a statement, presidential press secretary Linda Wamboka Nabusayi said: “Please ignore the statement circulating on social media regarding the arrest of Col Dr, Kizza Besigye and attributed to President Yoweri Museveni.
”She added: "The Police and the Attorney General should be left to handle their respective jobs."
”Eight candidates are running for the presidency but Museveni, Besigye and Museveni's former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi are seen as the main contenders.
Besigye has lost three previous elections to Museveni but his supporters have claimed that vote rigging, violence by security forces and the illegal use of public funds helped the president retain his grip on power.
