Uganda: Opposition Leader Shot in Violent Protests

By Staff writer

KAMPALA----Uganda’s main opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, was shot in the right arm while taking part in demonstrations against rising fuel and food prices. The incident occurred after the soldiers, who have taken over from police to quell riots over rise in cost of living, opened fire.

The military have since denied shooting him stating that he had been hurt by something else. However a doctor at Kampala Hospital where he was taken later said that the veteran opposition leader’s third digit had been shattered by a rubber bullet.

“Something else, not a bullet,” said Police publicist Judith Nabakooba glazing at his finger. Whereas army spokesman, Lt Col. Felix Kulayigye says Dr Besigye was “not hurt at all.”

Speaking to reporters at a Kampala hospital before he was taken for treatment, Besigye said, "Shortly after the firing began I was hit and I suspect it was a rubber bullet. I had sharp pain and [my] ring finger started bleeding."

Outrage later broke in Uganda’s parliament when opposition lawmakers demanded the arrest of those responsible for the violence while also calling for action on the rising cost of living that had led to the protests.

They said the violence was meant to disguise national discontent over the economic problems that the country was currently facing.

The campaign, dubbed ‘walk to work’ was meant to raise attention over the rising cost of necessities that has spiralled out of control, but was speedily broken up by the army and police amid running battles.

A contentious government statement read by Internal Affairs Minister Kirunda Kivejinja provoked anger in parliament. It read: “The walk to work demonstration had nothing to do with the current oil and commodity prices. … the demonstrations were part of a hate government campaign. It was for this reason therefore that police were instructed to disallow those activities.”

Besigye was arrested on Monday, along with several members of parliament, during a similar march protesting against high fuel and food prices, which police said was illegal. He was taken away by authorities again.