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Second day of voting in chaotic Uganda election: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 19 February 2016
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A police officer sprays tear gas on a protester apprehended on Day 2 of Uganda's elections @AFP @AFPphoto: image via AFPAfrica news agency @AFPAfrica, 19 February 2016
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Ugandan police clash with opposition protesters a day after the presidential election: image via Reuters Pictures @reuterspictures, 19 February 2016
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Ugandan police clash with opposition protesters a day after the presidential election: image via Reuters Pictures @reuterspictures, 19 February 2016
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Ugandan police clash with opposition protesters a day after the presidential election: image via Reuters Pictures @reuterspictures, 19 February 2016
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![A Ugandan soldier stands guard in front of posters for opposition leader Kizza Besigye and other candidates fin the parliamentary elections]()
Ugandan Forces Use Strong-Arm Tactics Amid Presidential Vote: The Associated Press, 10 February 2016
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Pedestrians walk past campaign posters for long-time President Yoweri Museveni, as well as for local members of Parliament, on a street in Kampala: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016 ![]()
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A ballot box is seen in a polling station just before people start voting during elections in Kaabong in Karamoja region, Uganda: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 18 February 2016
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Post electoral violence in #Uganda. 5 civilians and one policeman dead. #UgandaElections: image via President Vusani @Vusani. 19 February 2016 ![]()
At least one person was killed in Uganda's capital Kampala on Monday in the worst outbreak of violence yet during campaigning for the forthcoming presidential election on February 18. Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed on Tuesday that one civilian was killed in the scuffles and that police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse supporters of presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 16 February 2016
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Opposition supporters gesture in front of policemen in the capital Kampala: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 16 February 2016
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Residents hide behind a metal shop security grille as outside riot police chase angry opposition supporters: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 16 February 2016
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Masses dispersed as deployed police battle it out with FDC supporters #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
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Police and army seal off Mbabazi's home #UgandaDecides: image via Daily Monitor @DailyMonitor, 19 February 2016
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EARLIER: Police officers walk into the FDC HQ to order FDC party officials out. #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
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EARLIER: Police officers walk into the FDC HQ to order FDC party officials out. #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
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EARLIER: Police officers walk into the FDC HQ to order FDC party officials out. #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
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EARLIER: Police officers walk into the FDC HQ to order FDC party officials out. #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
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Arrested. Again.#UgandaDecides: image via AJE News @AJENews 19 February 2016
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#UgandaDecides FDC Flag bearer Dr Besigye 2 hold a press conference immediately aftr his release frm Nagalama police: image via Sudhir Byaruhunga @Sudhimtv, 19 February 2016
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Uganda police is spraying teargas into the offices here at our headquarters. #UgandaDecides: image via FDC Official #FDCOfficial1, 19 February 2016
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.Ugandan Forces Crack Down on Protesters Amid Vote Counting #UgandaDecides: image via Hot Beak World @HotBeakWorld, 19 February 2016
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#Uganda's only female presidential candidate. #UgandaDecides: image via BBC Africa @BBCAfrica, 18 February 2016 ![]()
#Uganda police statement explaining 'arrest' of opposition candidate @kizzabesigye1 on election day #UgandaDecides: image via Rachael Akidi @rakidi, 28 February 2016
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#Uganda : Ggabba, voting station closed without anybody voted yet. Police arresting protesters: image via simone schlindwein @schlindweinsim, 19 February 2016
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#Uganda : Ggabba, total Chaos, thousands of ppl shouting, I ve covered 6elections in 8yrs+never seen chaos like that: image via simone schlindwein @schlindweinsim, 19 February 2016
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Post electoral violence in #Uganda. 5 civilians and one policeman dead. #UgandaElections: image via President Vusani @Vusani. 19 February 2016
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Post electoral violence in #Uganda. 5 civilians and one policeman dead. #UgandaElections: image via President Vusani @Vusani. 19 February 2016
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Voting delays in Uganda as Museveni eyes fifth term: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 18 February 2016
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#UPDATE Uganda police fire tear gas at voters angered by delays: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 18 February 2016
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#UPDATE Uganda poll delays 'inexcusable': Commonwealth observer chief: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 18 February 2016
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Karamojong tribesmen in colourful hats traveling near the town of Kaabong, Uganda: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 17 February 2015
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A Karamojong tribesman in a colourful hat traveling near the town of Kaabong, Uganda: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 17 February 2015
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A voter stretches her arms as she waits in line to cast her ballot with other Ugandans in Kampala, the capital, on an election day marred by the arrest of a top opposition leader and the late delivery of voting materials: photo by Ben Curtis/Associated Press, 18 February 2016
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Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, on an election day marred by the arrest of a top opposition leader and the late delivery of voting materials: photo by Ben Curtis/Associated Press, 18 February 2016
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#Uganda - police officer sat on MP Nabilah Sempala during arrest of opposition leader Besigye Via @chapter4uganda: image via Samira Sawiani @samirasawiani, 15 February 2016
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Bodyguards piled on top of Kizza Besigye, the opposition leader, as the riot police fired tear gas in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday: photo by Ben Curtis/Associated Press, 15 February 2016
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![A woman sits against a wall plastered with campaign posters for opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as well as for local members of Parliament, in a poor market area of the capital Kampala, Uganda Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. On the eve of presidential elections, a heavy police and military presence could be seen in the capital Kampala. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)]()
A woman sits against a wall plastered with campaign posters for opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as well as for local members of Parliament, in Kampala, Uganda. On the eve of presidential elections, a heavy police and military presence could be seen in the capital Kampala.: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 17 February 2016
![A woman sits against a wall plastered with campaign posters for opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as well as for local members of Parliament, in a poor market area of the capital Kampala, Uganda Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. On the eve of presidential elections, a heavy police and military presence could be seen in the capital Kampala. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)]()
A woman sits against a wall plastered with campaign posters for opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as well as for local members of Parliament, in Kampala, Uganda. On the eve of presidential elections, a heavy police and military presence could be seen in the capital Kampala.: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 17 February 2016
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Tear gas and scuffles as Ugandan presidential challenger Kizza Besigye held by police @AFP: image via AFP Africa @AFPAfrica, 15 February 2016 ![Supporters of leading opposition leader and presidential candidate Kizza Besigye cower in a shop doorway after riot police fired tear gas at them and Besigye when they attempted to walk along a street in downtown Kampala, Uganda]()
![Ugandans queue to cast their vote in pre...Ugandans queue to cast their vote in presidential and parliamentary polls, on February 18, 2016 in Kampala. Ugandans began voting on February 18 in presidential and parliamentary polls, with veteran leader Yoweri Museveni widely expected to extend his power into a fourth decade. / AFP / CARL DE SOUZACARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images]()
Ugandans queue to cast their vote in presidential and parliamentary polls in Kampala: photo by Carl De Souza/AFP, 18 February 2016
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Second day of voting in chaotic Uganda election: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 19 February 2016
A police officer sprays tear gas on a protester apprehended on Day 2 of Uganda's elections @AFP @AFPphoto: image via AFPAfrica news agency @AFPAfrica, 19 February 2016
Ugandan police clash with opposition protesters a day after the presidential election: image via Reuters Pictures @reuterspictures, 19 February 2016
Ugandan police clash with opposition protesters a day after the presidential election: image via Reuters Pictures @reuterspictures, 19 February 2016
Ugandan police clash with opposition protesters a day after the presidential election: image via Reuters Pictures @reuterspictures, 19 February 2016
Joseph Ceravolo: where is the guide, O Hermes
Ugandans start casting votes on Thursday to decide whether to give Yoweri Museveni, in power for three decades, another term in office: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
Ugandans start casting votes on Thursday to decide whether to give Yoweri Museveni, in power for three decades, another term in office: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
Joseph Ceravolo: where is the guide, O Hermes
....,,March 31, 1988
A man listens to music next to me, and
a woman next to him listens
to music, and a woman reads next to her.
Two men talk, one a white boy
the other a black white bearded man
a woman next to him listens
to music, and a woman reads next to her.
Two men talk, one a white boy
the other a black white bearded man
describing the stops along the tracks.
Sweet descriptions and voices
Sweet descriptions and voices
of holy mankind, holy rites
along the route to Troy.
But where is the warrior and where
is the guide, O Hermes
in the drafty Spring moonlight
where wind shakes apart tears
that soldiers keep to themselves
even in the music of the trees that set
them free along the holy ring of stars
in the destruction of the world
Joseph Ceravolo (1934-1988): Untitled (March 31, 1988), from Collected Poems, 2013
A Ugandan soldier stands guard in front of posters for opposition leader Kizza Besigye and other candidates in the parliamentary elections: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 19 February 2016
Ugandan Forces Use Strong-Arm Tactics Amid Presidential Vote: The Associated Press, 10 February 2016
KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's security forces used strong-arm tactics in the middle of an election Friday, arresting the main opposition candidate, beating protesters and firing tear gas and stun grenades at them in the capital.
The United States, which gives financial support to this East African nation and helps train its military, was among those condemning the brutal actions. It occurred as voting from Thursday's election continued in two main districts Friday because ballots and other election materials had not arrived on election day.
Early returns Friday put Museveni ahead of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, but votes remained to be cast and counted in Besigye strongholds.
With results from about 47 percent of polling stations across the country counted, Museveni had about 63 percent of the vote and Besigye had about 33 percent, the election commission said late Friday. Final results are expected on Saturday.
Police surrounded the headquarters of Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change party as he was meeting with party members, and a helicopter fired tear gas at a crowd outside.
Then police moved in and took Besigye, a 59-year-old doctor, to an unknown location, according to Semujju Nganda, a spokesman for the FDC.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga said Besigye was transferred for his own safety and because police wanted to talk to him "to exercise restraint until the final results are announced." Besigye was driven to his home and his movements are not restricted, he said.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke over the phone Friday with Museveni "to underscore that Uganda's progress depends on adherence to democratic principles in the ongoing election process," the U.S. State Department said.
Kerry "expressed his concern about the detentions of ... Besigye and harassment of opposition party members during voting and tallying and urged President Museveni to rein in the police and security forces."
The U.S. Embassy said on Twitter that "We strongly condemn the disproportionate police action taken today at FDC HQ in Kampala."
After Besigye's arrest, his supporters took to the streets. Riot police lobbed tear gas and stun grenades at them and fired warning shots from automatic rifles, then chased them through narrow alleyways, arresting some. Armored personnel carriers rumbled up and down the main street in Kampala. A woman and her children fled on a motorbike.
In nearby poor neighborhoods, people set up burning barricades, which riot police and military police quickly took down. Angry protesters also erected barricades of stones on the highway leading to Uganda's international airport. Police fired tear gas and whacked protesters with sticks.
Muthoni Wanyeki, Amnesty International's regional director, noted that the raid represented a "restriction on the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. The security forces must act with restraint."
The spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general, Stephane Dujarric, said Ban Ki-moon was concerned over the reports of "detentions and violence" and trusts that "the authorities and all stakeholders will ensure that the fundamental rights and the will of the people of Uganda be respected."
Police parked trucks near the home of presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister. Josephine Mayanja-Nkangi, a spokeswoman for Mbabazi, said he interpreted the deployment to mean he cannot leave his house.
The voting Thursday suffered delays in delivery of voting materials, especially in areas seen as opposition strongholds. Voting was taking place Friday at 36 polling stations in Kampala and the neighboring district of Wakiso.
The government had shut down social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook but many Ugandans were circumventing that by using virtual private networks, or VPNs.
Besigye was also briefly arrested late Thursday after visiting a house in Kampala where he suspected ballot-stuffing was taking place. Police said the house was a security facility and accused Besigye of trespassing on government property.
Museveni, 71, took power in 1986 and pulled Uganda out of years of chaos after a guerrilla war. He is a key U.S. ally on security matters, especially in Somalia. His critics worry he may want to rule for life, and accuse him of using security forces to intimidate and harass the opposition.
Besigye, 59, was Museveni's personal physician during a war and served as deputy interior minister in Museveni's first Cabinet. He broke with the president in 1999.
"The military is now all over the place. It's a show of force. They are saying, 'We are ready to kill you if you protest,'" said Mwambutsya Ndebesa, a professor of history at Uganda's Makerere University. "Museveni has overstretched the goodwill Ugandans gave him. It is going to be very bad for him in terms of legitimacy."
Pedestrians walk past campaign posters for long-time President Yoweri Museveni, as well as for local members of Parliament, on a street in Kampala: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
Pedestrians walk past campaign posters for long-time President Yoweri Museveni, as well as for local members of Parliament, on a street in Kampala: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
A ballot box is seen in a polling station just before people start voting during elections in Kaabong in Karamoja region, Uganda: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 18 February 2016
People queue to cast their ballots in a polling station during elections in Kirihura in western Uganda: photo by James Akena/Reuters, 18 February 2016
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Ugandans went to the polls on Thursday as President Yoweri Museveni, in power for 30 years, is facing his tightest race ever with opposition leader Kizza Besigye his main challenger: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
On the eve of presidential elections, a heavy police and military presence can be seen in the capital Kampala: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
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Voters queue at the National Theatre polling station, one of the few in the capital which two hours after voting was due to start had received ballot boxes and papers, in Kampala: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
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A woman casts her vote at the National Theatre polling station: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
A woman casts her vote at the National Theatre polling station: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 18 February 2016
Post electoral violence in #Uganda. 5 civilians and one policeman dead. #UgandaElections: image via President Vusani @Vusani. 19 February 2016
At least one person was killed in Uganda's capital Kampala on Monday in the worst outbreak of violence yet during campaigning for the forthcoming presidential election on February 18. Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed on Tuesday that one civilian was killed in the scuffles and that police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse supporters of presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 16 February 2016
Opposition supporters gesture in front of policemen in the capital Kampala: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 16 February 2016
Uganda riot policemen pass by an injured protester during clashes in Kampala: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 16 February 2016
The outbreak of violence came just three days before presidential and parliamentary elections due to take place on February 18: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 16 February 2016
A journalist runs in front of riot police in Kampala: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 16 February 2016
Opposition leader Kizza Besigye flashes the victory sign from his vehicle, as it is towed away by an armoured personnel carrier after he was prevented by police from reaching one of his campaign rallies, near to Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 16 February 2016
A female opposition supporter screams in pain in Kampala. photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 16 February 2016
Residents hide behind a metal shop security grille as outside riot police chase angry opposition supporters: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 16 February 2016
The country is using a new biometric system to verify voters, but tests for the system only began in recent weeks, leaving little time to train staff at polling stations nationwide: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 16 February 2016
Masses dispersed as deployed police battle it out with FDC supporters #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
Police and army seal off Mbabazi's home #UgandaDecides: image via Daily Monitor @DailyMonitor, 19 February 2016
EARLIER: Police officers walk into the FDC HQ to order FDC party officials out. #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
EARLIER: Police officers walk into the FDC HQ to order FDC party officials out. #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
EARLIER: Police officers walk into the FDC HQ to order FDC party officials out. #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
EARLIER: Police officers walk into the FDC HQ to order FDC party officials out. #UgandaDecides: image via NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda, 19 February 2016
Arrested. Again.#UgandaDecides: image via AJE News @AJENews 19 February 2016
#UgandaDecides FDC Flag bearer Dr Besigye 2 hold a press conference immediately aftr his release frm Nagalama police: image via Sudhir Byaruhunga @Sudhimtv, 19 February 2016
Uganda police is spraying teargas into the offices here at our headquarters. #UgandaDecides: image via FDC Official #FDCOfficial1, 19 February 2016
.Ugandan Forces Crack Down on Protesters Amid Vote Counting #UgandaDecides: image via Hot Beak World @HotBeakWorld, 19 February 2016
#Uganda's only female presidential candidate. #UgandaDecides: image via BBC Africa @BBCAfrica, 18 February 2016
#Uganda police statement explaining 'arrest' of opposition candidate @kizzabesigye1 on election day #UgandaDecides: image via Rachael Akidi @rakidi, 28 February 2016
#Uganda : Ggabba, voting station closed without anybody voted yet. Police arresting protesters: image via simone schlindwein @schlindweinsim, 19 February 2016
#Uganda : Ggabba, total Chaos, thousands of ppl shouting, I ve covered 6elections in 8yrs+never seen chaos like that: image via simone schlindwein @schlindweinsim, 19 February 2016
Post electoral violence in #Uganda. 5 civilians and one policeman dead. #UgandaElections: image via President Vusani @Vusani. 19 February 2016
Post electoral violence in #Uganda. 5 civilians and one policeman dead. #UgandaElections: image via President Vusani @Vusani. 19 February 2016
Voting delays in Uganda as Museveni eyes fifth term: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 18 February 2016
#UPDATE Uganda police fire tear gas at voters angered by delays: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 18 February 2016
#UPDATE Uganda poll delays 'inexcusable': Commonwealth observer chief: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 18 February 2016
Ugandan president Yoweri Musageni, who has been in power for 30 years, arrives with his wife, Janet, at a campaign rally in Kampala: photo by Dai Kurokawa/European Pressphoto Agency, 18 February 2016
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The leading opposition figure is a former army doctor, Kizza Besigye, who is now making his fourth bid for president: photo by Dai Kurokawa/European Pressphoto Agency, 18 February 2016
Karamojong tribesmen in colourful hats traveling near the town of Kaabong, Uganda: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 17 February 2015
A Karamojong tribesman in a colourful hat traveling near the town of Kaabong, Uganda: photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters, 17 February 2015
A voter stretches her arms as she waits in line to cast her ballot with other Ugandans in Kampala, the capital, on an election day marred by the arrest of a top opposition leader and the late delivery of voting materials: photo by Ben Curtis/Associated Press, 18 February 2016
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, on an election day marred by the arrest of a top opposition leader and the late delivery of voting materials: photo by Ben Curtis/Associated Press, 18 February 2016
#Uganda - police officer sat on MP Nabilah Sempala during arrest of opposition leader Besigye Via @chapter4uganda: image via Samira Sawiani @samirasawiani, 15 February 2016
Bodyguards piled on top of Kizza Besigye, the opposition leader, as the riot police fired tear gas in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday: photo by Ben Curtis/Associated Press, 15 February 2016
Bodyguards piled on top of Kizza Besigye, the opposition leader, as the riot police fired tear gas in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday: photo by Ben Curtis/Associated Press, 15 February 2016
A woman sits against a wall plastered with campaign posters for opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as well as for local members of Parliament, in Kampala, Uganda. On the eve of presidential elections, a heavy police and military presence could be seen in the capital Kampala.: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 17 February 2016
A woman sits against a wall plastered with campaign posters for opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as well as for local members of Parliament, in Kampala, Uganda. On the eve of presidential elections, a heavy police and military presence could be seen in the capital Kampala.: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 17 February 2016
Tear gas and scuffles as Ugandan presidential challenger Kizza Besigye held by police @AFP: image via AFP Africa @AFPAfrica, 15 February 2016
Supporters of leading opposition leader and presidential candidate Kizza Besigye cower in a shop doorway after riot police fired tear gas at them and Besigye when they attempted to walk along a street in downtown Kampala, Uganda: photo by Ben Curtis/AP, 15 February 2016
Ugandans queue to cast their vote in presidential and parliamentary polls in Kampala: photo by Carl De Souza/AFP, 18 February 2016
Ugandans start voting as President Museveni eyes the start of a fourth decade in power @AFP: image via AFP Africa @AFPAfrica, 18 February 2016