Opposition Urges Protests Over Ugandan Polls

Opposition Urges Protests Over Ugandan Polls

Uganda 's opposition leader, Kizza Besigye has called for peaceful anti-government protests and a re-run of last week's disputed presidential poll.

The authorities have however, said demonstrations would not be tolerated.

Military intimidation

Besigye said last week's presidential and parliamentary polls were a sham due to widespread bribery, ballot box stuffing and military intimidation.

"We make a call to action. The time is now for the people of Uganda to rise and peacefully protest against the outcome of the 2011 elections," Besigye, leader of the Inter-Party Cooperation coalition, told a news conference.

After unsuccessfully appealing to the Supreme Court to overturn the results of the previous two polls -- which the court acknowledged had been marred by rigging and violence against the opposition -- Besigye says he has lost faith in the judicial system.

‘Too risky'

A police spokeswoman said it was too risky to permit demonstrations against incumbent President Yoweri Museveni's election to a fourth term in office.

"We can't allow them to demonstrate, there's already enough tension" , police spokeswoman Judith Nabakoba said.

Electoral commission results handed Museveni 68 percent of the vote, with Besigye trailing on 26 percent.

REUTERS/Margaret/Yinka