Saturday, May 14, 2011

Uganda police and opposition supporters clash - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Uganda police and opposition supporters clash - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Up to five people were killed when Ugandan police clashed with opposition supporters who attacked cars carrying African leaders at the inauguration of President Yoweri Museveni.
A government spokesman confirmed at least one death in the capital, Kampala, on Thursday. But local independent TV station WBS reported that five had died when police opened fire on opposition supporters who threw stones at the cars.
The vehicles included a convoy carrying Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian president.
"As they came past, protesters threw stones [and] smashed some of the windows," Al Jazeera's Malcolm Webb reported from Kampala on Thursday. "When police moved in to disperse those protesters, somebody was shot."
Museveni, who has held power for 25 years, was sworn in for a fourth term after winning elections that opposition parties said were rigged.
Since the vote, opposition leaders including Kizza Besigye have led a series of protests against high food and fuel prices.
At the same time as the inauguration, a crowd of thousands supporting Besigye had gathered in the capital to welcome him back to Uganda from Kenya.
The crowd began to flee as police used teargas and water cannons to scatter them. Police said they had to move in after crowds started throwing stones at vehicles carrying guests at the inauguration.
"The crowd was dispersed by police and soldiers. They fired tear gas and water cannons and chased people away with sticks," Al Jazeera's Webb said.
Soon after, however, Besigye's supporters regrouped and continued to march towards the capital.
Leaders of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, DRC, Somalia and South Sudan were all present for the inauguration

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