One person dead at Uganda opposition rally: police

At least one person has been killed at a rally for Ugandan opposition politician Bobi Wine, police said on Friday.

President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his 40-year rule but is opposed by Wine, a musician-turned-politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi.

In a statement, the Ugandan police force said security forces deployed to eastern Iganga town "faced attacks, including stone-throwing incited by the candidate."

"Officers responded to the violence by dispersing the unruly crowds, during which one civilian fatality occurred," according to the statement, posted on X.

Suspects arrested

"Several suspects linked to today's violence have been arrested" and were in custody, it said.

The statement also condemned "hooliganism" at the event and warned that "confronting armed officers poses grave risks, will not be tolerated, and will face decisive action."

Wine, 43, lost to Museveni, 81, in Uganda's 2021 presidential election.

The president's campaign has focused on "protecting the gains" of his four-decade rule and "driving Uganda to high middle-income status".