Ugandan presidential election marred with violence (Photos)

Uncategorized

ugaUgandan President Yoweri Museveni’s security forces used strong-arm tactics as vote counting got under way in the country’s election yesterday- arresting the main opposition candidate, beating protesters and firing tear gas and stun grenades at them in the capital.

The United States, which gives financial support to Uganda and helps train its military, was among those condemning the brutal actions. The violence erupted as voting from Thursday’s election continued in two main districts after ballots and other election materials failed to arrive on election day. Early returns put Museveni ahead of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, but votes are still to be cast and counted in Besigye strongholds.

A Ugandan soldier points a heavy-calibre machine gun in the direction of the campaigning group

Police arrest suspected protestors after they demonstrate their support for opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Kampala

A Ugandan soldier stands in front of a burned barricade during clashes a day after presidential elections

A riot police officer reacts as he directs his men to disperse angry supporters of Kizza Besigye

In nearby poor neighbourhoods, people set up burning barricades, which riot police and military police quickly took down. Angry protesters also erected barricades of stones on the highway leading to Uganda's international airport. Police fired tear gas and whacked protesters with sticks

After Besigye's arrest, his supporters took to the streets. Riot police lobbed tear gas and stun grenades at them and fired warning shots from automatic rifles, then chased them through narrow alleyways, arresting some

Supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, flee as police fires tear gas to disperse them during their running battle near Besigye's party headquarters

Military police officers jump off their truck as they prepare to move in on angry Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) protestors

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's security forces used strong-arm tactics as vote counting got under way in the country's election today - arresting the main opposition candidate, beating protesters and firing tear gas and stun grenades at them in the capitalImages: EPA, AFP/Getty Images, AP

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.