More rioting in Uganda

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.Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi, however, said the man died from a gunshot wound he suffered when a guard from a private security firm fired his weapon to stop him from breaking into a shop.The dead man was among six people who were hospitalised for treatment of injuries they suffered during the protests.Police arrested 57 people during the riots, he said.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 have enough evidence to back charges of treason – which carries 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.”Besigye has to prove his innocence because he is charged before the courts of law,” Museveni told a conference of his ruling National Resistance Movement.Chief Magistrate Margareth Tiburya transferred the case to the High Court for trial, because the lower court does not have powers to try capital offences.The magistrate also ordered Besigye to remain in custody at the Luzira Maximum Security Prison until the High Court fixes a trial date.Besigye, who was greeted by huge crowds when he returned from exile last month and has mounted the strongest challenge to Museveni’s 19-year rule, is accused of recruiting, funding and arming rebels with the help of neighbouring Rwanda, Congo and Sudan.Besigye has 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.- Nampa-APElsewhere 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.Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi, however, said the man died from a gunshot wound he suffered when a guard from a private security firm fired his weapon to stop him from breaking into a shop.The dead man was among six people who were hospitalised for treatment of injuries they suffered during the protests.Police arrested 57 people during the riots, he said.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 have enough evidence to back charges of treason – which carries 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.”Besigye has to prove his innocence because he is charged before the courts of law,” Museveni told a conference of his ruling National Resistance Movement.Chief Magistrate Margareth Tiburya transferred the case to the High Court for trial, because the lower court does not have powers to try capital offences.The magistrate also ordered Besigye to remain in custody at the Luzira Maximum Security Prison until the High Court fixes a trial date.Besigye, who was greeted by huge crowds when he returned from exile last month and has mounted the strongest challenge to Museveni’s 19-year rule, is accused of recruiting, funding and arming rebels with the help of neighbouring Rwanda, Congo and Sudan.Besigye has 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.- Nampa-AP