Opposition leader detained on Uganda election day

[snoop1130]

Opposition leader detained on Uganda election day
Euronews

UGANDA -- Opposition leader Kizza Besigye was briefly detained on polling day in Uganda as the government shut down social media sites, reportedly due to security concerns.

They are the latest signs of tension in Thursday’s presidential election, which is widely expected to be won by veteran leader Yoweri Museveni.

Leading opposition candidates have predicted vote rigging in the ballot.

President Museveni, 71, has ruled for 30 years but the vote is likely to be his toughest challenge yet, given the size and enthusiasm of crowds at opposition rallies and all sides accusing each other of stoking tensions and assembling vigilante groups.

On Monday, one person was killed after police fired bullets and tear gas at Besigye supporters, who hurled rocks and erected street barricades.

Source: http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/19/opposition-leader-detained-on-uganda-election-day/

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-02-19

[humqdpf]

This is the usual scenario in Ugandan presidential elections.

Same president for 30 years, basically since the last revolution. Same accusations of voter fraud and ballot stuffing as all the previous elections, same arresting the main opposition candidate (he was detained at least 4 times this week). US Secretary of State called the president to complain about the suppression of protests - apparently even used a helicopter to fire tear gas.

The fun and games are not over - the results were announced today and we may expect some violent street protests over the next few days. The army and security forces are out in large numbers - even had armoured vehicles on the airport road.