This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7241429.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ugandan MP charged with sedition | Ugandan MP charged with sedition |
(about 21 hours later) | |
Ugandan opposition MP Betty Kamya has been charged with sedition, promoting sectarianism and inciting violence. | Ugandan opposition MP Betty Kamya has been charged with sedition, promoting sectarianism and inciting violence. |
The move comes after she wrote an article calling on Ugandans to emulate Kenyan independence Mau Mau fighters to force the president from power. | |
On Sunday, President Yoweri Museveni wrote a 17-page open letter, in which he said he would sue the MP. | On Sunday, President Yoweri Museveni wrote a 17-page open letter, in which he said he would sue the MP. |
Opposition leader Kizza Besigye said the case proved the government wanted to cripple all opposition. | Opposition leader Kizza Besigye said the case proved the government wanted to cripple all opposition. |
Charges denied | Charges denied |
The BBC's Joshua Mmali in the capital, Kampala, says it is not clear whether Mr Museveni instigated the arrest and prosecution of the outspoken opposition MP. | The BBC's Joshua Mmali in the capital, Kampala, says it is not clear whether Mr Museveni instigated the arrest and prosecution of the outspoken opposition MP. |
President Museveni has been in power for more than 20 years | President Museveni has been in power for more than 20 years |
But her arrest came a day after his letter appeared in the Sunday Vision newspaper. | But her arrest came a day after his letter appeared in the Sunday Vision newspaper. |
In the 1950s, Mau Mau fighters launched attacks on white settlers and their rebellion contributed to Kenya achieving independence in 1963. | |
"Like Kenyans, we are going to have to fight to extricate ourselves from Museveni's paws," Ms Kamya wrote in her article on 28 January in the Ugandan Monitor newspaper. | "Like Kenyans, we are going to have to fight to extricate ourselves from Museveni's paws," Ms Kamya wrote in her article on 28 January in the Ugandan Monitor newspaper. |
The lead prosecutor said this statement was tantamount to an open declaration of war against the president. | The lead prosecutor said this statement was tantamount to an open declaration of war against the president. |
The article was printed as neighbouring Kenya struggled to contain post-poll violence in which at least 1,000 people have died. | |
Ms Kamya also questioned Mr Museveni's Ugandan nationality in her article. | Ms Kamya also questioned Mr Museveni's Ugandan nationality in her article. |
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) MP denied all the charges, and was granted bail. | The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) MP denied all the charges, and was granted bail. |
Dr Besigye, the leader of the FDC, is himself on bail, accused of treason in 2005. His case is still awaiting trial. | Dr Besigye, the leader of the FDC, is himself on bail, accused of treason in 2005. His case is still awaiting trial. |
In 2006, he lost to Mr Museveni in presidential polls which the FDC alleged were rigged. | In 2006, he lost to Mr Museveni in presidential polls which the FDC alleged were rigged. |
Previous version
1
Next version