Kampala Major Arrested Amidst Protest By Supporters

The mayor of the Ugandan capital, Kampala, was arrested after police dispersed his supporters using tear gas and water cannons; the latest move in what critics say is a campaign to silence dissent against the president.

Local media say police had earlier surrounded Mayor Elias Lukwago’s home to escort him towards a building where a tribunal that could possibly impeach him for abuse of office was being held, but on the way a tear gas canister was hurled into Lukwago’s car.

Lukwago, an opposition member and critic of Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni, is now recovering in a private health facility after violent scuffles broke out between his supporters and the police during his arrest.

In a separate incident, the police detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, a former ally of President Yoweri Museveni, saying he was inciting a crowd that rallied to support Lukwago.

Besigye, who has long led opposition to Uganda’s leader, has lost three presidential elections to Museveni, saying the results were rigged, and has often been detained by police.

Opponents have increasingly criticized Museveni for what they describe as his autocratic style of rule. Journalists protested in May against a crackdown on the media that followed a rare public debate over who would succeed him.

Lukwago’s supporters vowed to keep fighting for their cause.

Rights lawyers say police often use a law that requires they be informed about rallies to clamp down on basic rights of association and freedom of speech. Police deny the charge.

Last month, the authorities halted operations at two newspapers and two radio stations after they reported a purported plot to assassinate people who said that Museveni was grooming his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for power.

Speculation is growing that Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, is lining up his son to take power at the end of his term in 2016, a move that would probably test the loyalties of Uganda’s ruling elite.