Uganda's Amama Mbabazi and Kizza Besigye
arrested
9 July 2015 Africa
Amama Mbabazi was sacked as prime minister in 2014 after
three years in the job
Two leading presidential hopefuls have been arrested in
Uganda for organising meetings without police permission,
state media reports.
Amama Mbabazi was arrested in eastern Jinja town, while
Kizza Besigye was detained at his home in the capital, the
New Vision newspaper reported.
Both are former close allies of President Yoweri Museveni.
He is widely expected to seek re-election next year, but this
has not been confirmed.
Last month, Mr Mbabazi said he would challenge Mr
Museveni, 70, by seeking the nomination of the ruling
National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Mr Museveni sacked Mr Mbabazi as prime minister last year,
ending a close working relationship of more than 20 years.
Mr Mbabazi was arrested in Jinja as he headed out to
canvass support in the eastern town of Mbale, reports the
BBC's Patience Atuhaire from Kampala.
On Wednesday, police said Mr Mbabazi had not been cleared
to hold meetings.
Dr Besigye, the former physician of Mr Museveni, is seeking
the presidential nomination of the opposition Forum for
Democratic Change (FDC) party.
Mr Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986, and his critics
say he has become increasingly repressive.
However, his supporters say he has provided stability and
has improved the living standards of Ugandans.
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