Ugandan general arrested ahead of elections

A MILITARY general who opposes Uganda’s longtime president was arrested ahead of presidential elections next month, his lawyer said yesterday.

The home of General David Sejusa, who has called President Yoweri Museveni a dictator, was surrounded by armed military police early yesterday, said Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi. Sejusa is under house arrest, Rwakafuuzi added.

Sejusa’s arrest is likely to raise tensions ahead of presidential elections on February 18, according to AP.

It was not possible to get a comment from the government or military.

Museveni, who is campaigning for re-election, has ruled Uganda since 1986, when he led a group of rebels who had waged a bush war against a government they accused of rigging elections.

Sejusa, who had been one of the senior commanders of those rebels, eventually became a four-star general, was on the military high command and led Uganda’s domestic and external spy agencies.