KAMPALA , 21 August. - (ANA) - Fresh riots broke out in parts of Ugandan capital Kampala on Monday as the aftermath of the chaotic Arua Municipality by-election continues to playout.

 

Police closed off the Equatoria shopping Mall, Kyaggwe Road and the Kisseka Market as they engaged in running battles with protestors demanding the release from detention of Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, musician-turned politician Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine.

 

The rioters, chanting Mr Kyagulanyi’s slogan, ‘People Power. Our power’, on Monday afternoon lit bonfires at Kisekka Market, Namirembe Road and Kikuubo Market Lane.

 

Police and army used teargas and live bullets to disperse the protestors.

 

Reports about Bobi Wine's health from alleged torture by soldiers circulating widely on social media were partly fuelling the restive situation.

 

At least a dozen people have been arrested on Monday, the police said.

 

The riots in the capital followed those in Mityana town, about 65km west of Kampala, on Sunday where supporters of also jailed Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake lit several bonfires along the busy Kampala-Mityana-Fort Portal highway.

 

The protests followed reports that the area MP’s condition had deteriorated.

 

One person was killed in Mityana and at least five others sustained injuries after a policeman fired into an taxi as security forces battled to contain the situation.

 

The deceased was identified as Samuel Ssekitoleko, a resident of Myanzi, in neighbouring Kasanda District.

 

Protests were reported last week in Gayaza and around the Kamyokya Ghetto, the base of Mr Kyagulanyi.

 

In a statement at the weekend, President Yoweri Museveni dismissed reports that the two MPs, Mr Kyagulanyi and Mr Zaake, were in a poor state of health.

 

The protesters have been accusing the government of arresting and torturing the MPs since their arrest in the northwestern town of Arua last Monday, following a fracas between MP-elect Kassiano Wadri’s supporters and those of ruling NRM party candidate Nusura Tiperu.

 

But Mr Museveni defended the actions of his security in containing the situation in Arua and the subsequent arrest of the MPs.

 

The fracas in Arua left Mr Kyagulanyi’s driver Yasin Kawuma dead, and others with gunshot wounds.

 

Over 30 people including MPs and journalists were arrested.

 

The arrest and detention of the MPs, their brutal handling and the resulting outbreak of riots has received international and local condemnation and increased tension in the capital Kampala.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/21 August 2018 - - -