29 April 2011Last updated at 15:30

In pictures: Uganda riots erupt over Besigye's arrest

Rioters burn tyres and wood in the capital city Kampala, Uganda, Friday 29 April 2011

Riots broke out in Uganda's capital, Kampala, on Friday morning, with protesters burning tyres and blocking roads, saying they were angry at the manner in which opposition leader Kizza Besigye was arrested on Thursday.

A Ugandan military police officer walks past a barricaded road in Kampala, 29 April 2011

The military and police turned out in force to stop the trouble which spread across the city, paralysing transport and closing shops. Dr Besigye lost to President Yoweri Museveni in an election in February but says it was rigged.

Uganda's Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye (2nd L) is arrested by plainclothes policemen in the capital Kampala, 28 April 2011

On Thursday, Dr Besigye had to seek medical treatment after being tear-gassed in his car and bundled roughly into a truck when he was detained for a fourth time this month for his participation in a "walk-to-work" protest over the high cost of food and fuel.

Ugandan soldiers shoot at demonstrators, who pelt them with rocks from apartment buildings, during riots in Kampala on 29 April 2011

Correspondents say Friday's riots were partly fuelled by rumours that Dr Besigye had died. He went to hospital from court on Thursday but was discharged later that evening. The security forces fired live ammunition and used tear gas to contain the protesters. Here they are being pelted with stones from nearby buildings.

Ugandan protesters carry away their colleague after being fired on with tear gas in Kampala, Friday 29 April 2011 after riots broke out

Commuters struggled to stay clear of the chaotic scenes. This woman was helped after being caught in tear gas fired by the security forces.

Uganda Police patrol as tyres burn in the capital city Kampala, Uganda, Friday 29 April 2011 after riots broke out

Uganda's Red Cross says at least one person has died in the crack down and more than 50 people have been taken to hospital with injuries.

Ugandan protesters are made to lie down on the road after their arrest by Ugandan police in Kampala, Friday 29 April 2011

Protesters were made to lie down on the road after their arrest and the military forced people out to clear up the roads where blockades were set up. Before the polls, Dr Besigye had called for Egypt-style uprisings in the event of fraud and the police responded by banning public demonstrations.

Rioters sit on the back of a police truck after their arrest in Kampala, Friday, April 29, 2011 after riots broke out

The BBC’s East Africa correspondent Will Ross says the government’s response to the walk-to-work protests has boosted Dr Besigye’s profile and angered many Ugandans. As the state continues to rely on brute force the chance of the violence escalating appears highly likely, he says.

Africa

In pictures: Uganda riots erupt over Besigye's arrest

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