National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has been arrested in downtown Kampala. Kyagulanyi and several members of the NUP were heading to the City Square to protest against the continued abduction, arrest and alleged killing of opposition supporters.
The army has since taken over the city security with several combat vehicles now seen patrolling the streets and sharpshooters taking positions on top of city buildings.
Kyagulanyi recently announced that he would lead peaceful demonstrations to challenge the abduction of NUP supporters, the trial of civilians in military courts, and the outcome of the January 14 presidential election which gave President Yoweri Museveni victory against 10 other candidates.
Kyagulanyi claims he won the election by 54.19 per cent ahead of Museveni, who was instead given 58.38 per cent of the total votes cast and Kyagulanyi 35.08 per cent.
Kyagulanyi has since called on Ugandans to take to the streets to protest the outcome of the results, and what he calls the oppressive government of Museveni.
"I call upon you to rise up peacefully, unarmed and demonstrate against a regime that has oppressed us," he said.
Today afternoon, Kyagulanyi accompanied by the secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, Muhammad Ssegirinya, the MP-elect of Kawempe North, and Derick Nyeko from Makindye East, among others, marched to the city, prompting a fleet of boda-boda riders following them.
However, these were intercepted around the Mabirizi complex by anti-riot police and field force unit personnel and taken to the Central police station (CPS).
During the scuffle, the police fired teargas and bullets to disperse the gathering crowds. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says that Kyagulanyi has been arrested with nine other people. Kyagulanyi since been driven back to his home in Magere and the others released without charge.
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