Ugandan Police Fire Teargas at Poll Protesters

Ugandan Police Fire Teargas at Poll Protesters

Police in the Ugandan capital have fired teargas and shot bullets over the heads of hundreds of people protesting against President Yoweri Museveni's huge election win last month.

Museveni's, one of Africa's longest serving leaders after 25 years, won 68 percent of the February 18 vote with closest rival Kizza Besigye on 26 percent. Besigye said the polls were a sham due to widespread bribery, ballot box stuffing and intimidation.

Police said eight people had been arrested. The protesters dispersed after the security forces stepped in.

Peaceful protests

Police had warned that peaceful protests against the election outcome were illegal, saying the opposition intended to cause "widespread and sustained violence and destruction".

Wednesday's demonstration -- not endorsed by Besigye -- was called by Olara Otunnu, the fourth-placed candidate and leader of the Uganda Peoples Congress.

Otunnu led a crowd of about 80 people through the city before a larger group of several hundred gathered at the city's Kisekka market --- site of anti-government protests in the past.

Otunnu was not seen at the market.

Protestors danced, cheered and held up posters of Besigye, while shouting at passers-by to endorse the opposition during the hour-long protest.

"I am here because Museveni should resign," 22 -year-old motorbike-taxi driver, George Basasira, said. "He rigged the elections and he has been in power since before my birth."

REUTERS/Margaret/Ekata