Ugandan opposition leader Besigye arrested again

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was re-arrested Tuesday just hours after he left his home.

The move came despite assurances by authorities that he was free to attend prayers at his party headquarters Tuesday.

Besigye, who often draws large crowds wherever he travels, had been under house arrest since the presidential poll on February 18.

His arrest came as supporters joined his procession from the outskirts of Kampala and followed him as he made his way into the city.

Besigye was taken to Nagalama police station outside Kampala.  A police spokesperson said he has been charged with participating in an unlawful procession.

Besigye was arrested several times in the run-up to the February 18 polls.  He was placed under house arrest for a month and half after the vote.

President Yoweri Museveni won that poll with 60 percent of the vote.  This is his fifth term in office.  Besiyge placed second with 35 percent.  He said there were irregularities, but his detention prevented him from contesting results in court.

Besigye’s supporters have voiced growing frustration.

“We feel as if we are living in a country which is not ours.  We really feel that this country is being owned by one person, and that is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.  We think that this country is for him and his family members,” said one supporter.

Besiyge’s arrest Tuesday comes three days after the inspector general of police ordered security officials to withdraw from outside of Besigye’s residence.