Besigye fired with water cannon, arrested day after return from Geneva

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was on Monday arrested following running battles with police.

His arrest comes a day after he returned from Geneva where his wife Winnie Byanyima has taken up her new role as the UNAIDS Executive Director.

In Geneva, my first day here, @akizzabesigye & @kizzabesigye1 here to help me to start in my new role at @unaids Thks pic.twitter.com/u1eZAie4ls

— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) November 3, 2019

According to Ugandan media, the scuffle began after police blocked members of his Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party from accessing a conference venue.

”(They) decided to march in a procession from Mandela National Stadium to their party headquarters in Najanankumbi,” the Daily Monitor said.

Police then intercepted and tried to disperse them when they reached Kireka area in Kira municipality.

A confrontation ensued as the melee attracted even more crowds.

Police resorted to using tear gas canisters, water cannons and allegedly live bullets.

Besigye was not lucky as police blocked his car, using a water canon to force him out.

He was reportedly bundled into a police van and is said to be in custody at the Naggalama Police Station.

Ugandan police acknowledged receiving notification of the conference from the FDC party but a directive to change venue was allegedly ignored.

”Besigye defied police orders and parked his vehicle in the middle of the road, blocking and inconveniencing other road users,” the statement reads.

Police added that they are yet to prefer charges as they are still gathering evidence.