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Uganda Police Fire Tear Gas on Opposition Rally


A supporter of opposition leader Kizza Besige is arrested during a rally on August 17, 2011 in memory of 10 people killed in a crackdown on protests in April
A supporter of opposition leader Kizza Besige is arrested during a rally on August 17, 2011 in memory of 10 people killed in a crackdown on protests in April

Ugandan police fired tear gas and water cannons Wednesday to disperse an opposition rally, called to remember people killed in protests earlier this year.

Witnesses say several hundred people had gathered for the rally in a suburb of the capital, Kampala. But they say police moved in soon after the event started and broke up the crowd.

Opposition supporters say police had granted permission for the rally, but authorities say the demonstrators did not gather at the approved location.

Opposition leader Kizza Besigye led "Walk to Work" protests against rising food and fuel prices during April and May. Security forces stopped the protests and arrested Besigye at least four times.

A court dismissed charges against Besigye last week.

Opposition groups blame the policies of President Yoweri Museveni for rising food and fuel prices.

Museveni has said global factors are to blame, and that he will not tolerate the protests.

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