Protests Overshadow Inauguration in Uganda

Source: The New York Times

KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandans frustrated with their government turned out in overwhelming numbers and boisterous celebration on Thursday to welcome home the nation’s leading opposition figure, drowning out a lavish and dignitary-studded inauguration ceremony for President Yoweri Museveni.

Kizza Besigye, a three-time presidential candidate and ringleader of Uganda’s recent street protests over rising commodity prices, flew home on Thursday from Kenya, where he had received medical treatment for wounds sustained during a recent arrest. Mr. Besigye, who had been barred from returning to Uganda on Wednesday, made it back early in the morning, then spent virtually the entire day driving from Uganda’s main airport to the capital of Kampala — normally a 45-minute drive — while being thronged by dancing and singing supporters.

Witnesses driving with Mr. Besigye said that, at around midday, military police beat up and dispersed many of the supporters following Mr. Besigye and then surrounded the convoy, escorting it into the capital, an opposition stronghold, where thousands of fans waited. Cheers of celebration turned to plumes of colored smoke and eerie silence as the police fired rounds of tear gas at major intersections, clashing with opposition supporters throwing stones. Protesters scattered and made their way to a soccer field, where they held a mock swearing in of Mr. Besigye.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/world/africa/13uganda.html

deserves everything he gets. Go Protesters.