Uganda’s anti-riot police arrest opposition leader Kizza Besigye (C) during a rally in Kampala on February 15, 2016/AFP
KAMPALA, Uganda, Feb 21 – Uganda’s top opposition leader Kizza Besigye said poll results Saturday handing President Yoweri Museveni a fifth term should be rejected, in a statement issued while under house arrest surrounded by dozens of police.
“The results of the presidential elections must be rejected,” Besigye’s statement read. “We have just witnessed what must be the most fraudulent electoral process in Uganda.”
The veteran 71-year-old Museveni won 60 percent of the vote in the sometimes chaotic elections, far ahead of the 35 percent garnered by Besigye.
International observers have also raised the red flag, warning that Uganda’s electoral commission lacked transparency and accusing the police of heavy-handed treatment of the opposition.
“Today I am under house arrest. My home is sealed off and I am not allowed to leave. Nobody is allowed to access my home,” Besigye said.
Police had stormed Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) headquarters on Friday to arrest him, saying they wanted to prevent him from unilaterally proclaiming his vote score.
READ: Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni wins fifth term
Besigye appealed to the “international community” not to recognize the results.
“Please reject the temptation to ratify these sham elections,” he said. “But should you ratify the results of these sham elections, at least, have the courage to admit that you do not care about democracy or human rights in Africa.”
Although Museveni was re-elected as president, at least 19 of his ministers lost their parliamentary seats, among them defence minister Crispus Kiyonga – who is spearheading regional efforts to end the political crisis in Burundi – and attorney general Fred Ruhindi.
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Museveni and Besigye, 59, were once close. They fought together in a bush war to overthrow Uganda’s first post-independence leader Milton Obote. During that time, Besigye served as Museveni’s personal physician.
This was Besigye’s fourth attempt to unseat his former comrade-in-arms, his best performance so far being in 2006, when he polled 37 percent.
“To my fellow Ugandans… remain vigilant and steadfast. The struggle is long and hard but, in the end, we shall win if we continue in our patient and steadfast resolve,” Besigye added.
“The regime cannot survive without our co-operation. Let us denounce this electoral theft by withdrawing our recognition of the regime and ceasing to co-operate with it.”
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Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), speaks during a news conference held at his home in Kasangati, where he remains under house arrest, on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, 21 February 2016. Long-time Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the Presidential election on 20 February but Besigye has dismissed the result and is urging his supporters to protest his continued detention. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Police officers monitor supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), at a busy intersection in Kampala, Uganda, 20 February 2016. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the country’s Presidential election, taking 60.8 percet of votes, on 20 February, extending his 30 year rule. Kizza Besigye, who took 34.5 per cent of votes, and was under house arrest as Museveni was declared the winner, has rejected the results and urged the international community to do the same. The capital remained calm after the results announcement with heavy security presence. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A man kneels down in prayer as police officers stand guard against supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Kampala, Uganda, 20 February 2016. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the country’s Presidential election, taking 60.8 percet of votes, on 20 February, extending his 30 year rule. Kizza Besigye, who took 34.5 per cent of votes, and was under house arrest as Museveni was declared the winner, has rejected the results and urged the international community to do the same. The capital remained calm after the results announcement with heavy security presence. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Women in front of their food stalls as the country waited for the final result of the presidential election in Kampala, Uganda, 20 February 2016. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the country’s Presidential election, taking 60.8 percet of votes, on 20 February, extending his 30 year rule. Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who took 34.5 per cent of votes, and was under house arrest as Museveni was declared the winner, has rejected the results and urged the international community to do the same. The capital remained calm after the results announcement with heavy security presence. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Police officers detain a homeless man for an unclear reason in Kampala, Uganda, 20 February 2016. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the country’s Presidential election, taking 60.8 percet of votes, on 20 February, extending his 30 year rule. Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who took 34.5 per cent of votes, and was under house arrest as Museveni was declared the winner, has rejected the results and urged the international community to do the same. The capital remained calm after the results announcement with heavy security presence. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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People pour water to wash off tear gas on a woman hit by tear gas fired fired by police near the headquarters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, during a running battle between police and opposition supporters near Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A man rides a motorcycle past a burning barricade set up by angry supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, during a running battle between police and oppositon supporters near Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Riot police officers try to close the gate to lock supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, inside Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A man reacts as he is detained by police during a running battle between police and supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Military police officers jump off their truck as they prepare to move in on angry supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, near Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, flee as police fires tear gas to disperse them during their running battle near Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A riot police officer fires a rubber bullet as they disperse angry supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, near Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A man reacts as he is put in the back of a police truck after being arrested during a running battle between police and supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A military police officer approaches a woman whose friend was hit by tear gas during a running battle between police and supporers of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A supporter of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, reacts after being arrested during a running battle between police and opposition supporters in in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Preliminary result by shows Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A supporter of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, fights with police officers trying to close the gate to lock them inside Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Preliminary result by shows Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets.
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Supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, flee as riot police officers close in on them during their running battle in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, cheer as they face off with riot police officers trying to close the gate to lock them inside Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Preliminary result by shows Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, face off with riot police officers trying to close the gate to lock them inside Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Preliminary result by shows Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A military police officer orders a man to remove a burning barricade set up by supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, during a running battle between police and Besigye’s supporters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A riot police officer fires a rubber bullet as they disperse angry supporters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, near Besigye’s party headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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Family members and friends try to help a woman hit by tear gas fired by police near the headquarters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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A woman collapses on the ground as she suffocates after being hit by tear gas fired by police near the headquarters of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the main opposition candidateate, in Kampala, Uganda, 19 February 2016. Ugandan police on 19 February stormed Besigye’s party headquarters and arrested him. Police also fired tear gas and arrested some of his supporters who took to the streets. Preliminary result by Electoral Commission shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni taking a lead over his main opponent Kizza Besigye. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
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