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Photos: Pre-election violence rocks Uganda

Police clash with opposition supporters in capital Kampala before presidential elections on February 18.

Election violence in Uganda
Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed on Tuesday that one civilian was killed in the scuffles and that police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. [Ben Curtis/AP]
Published On 16 Feb 2016

At least one person was killed in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Monday in the worst outbreak of violence yet during campaigning for the forthcoming presidential election on February 18.

Police clashed with opposition supporters after briefly detaining a leading presidential candidate twice as he tried to hold campaign rallies three days before Thursday’s vote.

ELECTION 2016: Young voices from Uganda

Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed on Tuesday that one civilian was killed in Monday’s scuffles and that police fired rubber bullets to disperse supporters of presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.

Besigye, who has lost three disputed elections against long-running president Yoweri Museveni, said on Tuesday he did not believe the election would be free and fair.

Museveni is widely predicted to win a fifth term in power in Thursday’s polls.

Uganda plays a key role in East Africa as a major regional economic and military power.

Election violence in Uganda
Opposition supporters gesture in front of policemen in the capital Kampala. [Goran Tomasevic/Reuters]
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Election violence in Uganda
Uganda riot policemen pass by an injured protester during clashes in Kampala. [Goran Tomasevic/Reuters]
Election violence in Uganda
The outbreak of violence came just three days before presidential and parliamentary elections are due to take place on February 18. [Reuters]
Election violence in Uganda
A journalist runs in front of riot police in Kampala. [Goran Tomasevic/Reuters]
Election violence in Uganda
Opposition leader Kizza Besigye flashes the victory sign from his vehicle, as it is towed away by an armoured personnel carrier after he was prevented by police from reaching one of his campaign rallies, near to Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. [Ben Curtis/AP]
Election violence in Uganda
A female opposition supporter screams in pain in Kampala. [Goran Tomasevic/Reuters]
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Election violence in Uganda
Residents hide behind a metal shop security grille as outside riot police chase angry opposition supporters. [Ben Curtis/AP]
Election violence in Uganda
The country is using a new biometric system to verify voters, but tests for the system only began in recent weeks, leaving little time to train staff at polling stations nationwide. [Goran Tomasevic/Reuters]