Tear gas, scuffles as Ugandan presidential challenger held by police
- 8 years ago
At least one person was killed Monday as Ugandan police fought running battles with opposition supporters, firing tear gas and briefly detaining a top presidential challenger days ahead of polls to elect the head of state.
Kizza Besigye, a three-time failed presidential candidate who heads the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, was held after street clashes as he campaigned in the capital Kampala ahead of Thursday's election.
Opposition politicians said three people had been shot dead, but the claims could not be independently verified.
"They were firing tear gas, a lot of tear gas," said FDC supporter Swaibu Mugalu, 32, describing how police blocked Besigye from holding a rally in central Kampala.
Besigye was driven to a police station, before then being taken home by police, with police spokesman Onyango stressing he was "not under any form of arrest."
Kizza Besigye, a three-time failed presidential candidate who heads the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, was held after street clashes as he campaigned in the capital Kampala ahead of Thursday's election.
Opposition politicians said three people had been shot dead, but the claims could not be independently verified.
"They were firing tear gas, a lot of tear gas," said FDC supporter Swaibu Mugalu, 32, describing how police blocked Besigye from holding a rally in central Kampala.
Besigye was driven to a police station, before then being taken home by police, with police spokesman Onyango stressing he was "not under any form of arrest."