Besigye Arrest: USA Deeply Concerned
Mark C. Toner, U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson
United States of America has raised concern about the Monday arrest of Kizza Besigye, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate.
Addressing media yesterday, State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said restrictions on public assembly at such time can escalate tension.
“We are deeply concerned that the police detained opposition presidential candidate Kizza Besigye and tear-gassed some of his supporters,” Toner said.
Adding; “such restrictions on public assembly, especially when applied disproportionately to one side contesting the elections, escalates tensions in an already heated electoral environment. So we urge all – we urge government authorities as well as all political parties and their supporters to refrain from further acts or rhetoric that may lead to more unrest or claim any more lives.”
Condemns Violence
He said United States condemns elections-related violence that took place on Monday “which claimed the life of at least one person, and we offer our condolences to the friends and families of that individual.”
“We hope that such senseless death will not be part – or repeated rather – as Ugandans head to the polls on Thursday,” he added.
Uganda goes to polls tomorrow to elect a president in a highly contested election.
President Museveni is facing stiff competition from his former bush war comrades Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi.
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