Uganda Opposition Candidate Taken From Home

KAMPAIA, Uganda — Kizza Besigye, the runner-up in the Ugandan presidential election

last week who was under house arrest, was taken from his home Monday morning by the

police near Kampala, the capital, to a remote station, two days after the United States

called for his release.

Mr. Besigye was planning to head to the country's electoral commission to receive

detailing polling data about his campaign against the incumbent, President Yoweri

Museveni, who was declared the winner of a vote on Thursday that was marred by

irregularities. The headquarters of his party, the Forum for Democratic Change, was

blockaded by the police.

A police spokesman would not say when Mr. Besigye would be released, adding that the

police had evidence that his supporters were planning to engage in violence and that

they would continue to monitor his movements.

Mr. Besigye was taken to a police station in Naggalama, more than 20 miles northeast of

Kampala, where many Of his supporters awaited his release.

A military presence remained in the capital on Monday after Mr. Museveni, who has led

Uganda since 1986, was elected to a fifth term. Election observers from the European

Union cited "an atmosphere of intimidation," and many polling stations in Kampala

received ballots late or not at all on Thursday.

Response:

Kizza Besigye was stripped from his house by the police then taken to a "remote station" after the United States called for his house arrest release two days before. The latest elections in Uganda are "marred by irregularities" raising suspensions, and with this arrest adding to the asymmetry of the whole event. It seems to me that the police were arresting Besigye for the violence his supporters were going to fulfill. Although this article is strictly focused on the arrest, the police could have had ulterior motives to distract his supporters from fulfilling their violent plans and even save Besigye. This article is quite short, so the author has assumed that those reading it have some background information on the topic of elections in Uganda, and also assume that the reader is almost ignorant. This post is short and informative, and many will take it for what it is without researching anymore. One can see, when a little more research is done, that the main issue is not the arrest, but rather searching for peace in the country. This election has been unorderly and vague. The people and other countries believe they deserve better. This article is speaking on a specific issue with in this recent election, but refers to the overall issue through its repetitive topic of irregularities in the voting process. I do not know enough information to claim whether Besigye is guilty or innocent, but the main point that should be discovered is that this voting process was not orderly or fair. Both parties are involved in these affairs and therefore should both be held accountable. If they are going to run the country they should look for the best interest of the people. 

Kron, Josh. "Uganda Opposition Candidate Taken From Home." 

The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 Feb. 2016. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/world/africa/uganda-opposition-leader-taken-from-home-kizza-besigye.html>.