February 2011 Elections and Aftermath
In the 2011 elections Besigye for the third time in a row lost to his main challenger, the incumbent Yoweri Museveni with a terrible decline from previous polls, failing to win in a single region. Though lauded as one of the most free and fair elections in Ugandan history, Besigye claimed that his challenger used intimidation and rigging to win a fourth term in office.
Following his dismal performance in the 2011 presidential elections, Besigye directed his party members elected to the 9th parliament to boycott it. This was rejected outrightly by the newly elected MPs, claiming that the election victory was out of their personal effort and not Besigye's or the Party, contributing to rising tentions within the FDC.
Besigye was arrested for a fourth time on 28 April, during a "walk-to-work" protest over the high prices of food and fuel. He was sprayed with tear gas (pepper spray) and dragged from his car by police. This was the catalyst for additional protests leading to riots across Kampala, in which at least two people were killed and 120 people wounded, leading to some 360 arrests.
Read more about this topic: Kizza Besigye
Famous quotes containing the words february, elections and/or aftermath:
“If a man is a good lawyer, a good physician, a good engineer ... he may be a fool in every other capacity. But no deficiency or mistake of judgment is forgiven to a woman ... and should she fail anywhere, if she has any scientific attainment, or artistic faculty, instead of standing her interest as an excuse, it is censured as an aggravation and offence.”
—E.P.P., U.S. women’s magazine contributor. The Una, p. 28 ( February 1855)
“In my public statements I have earnestly urged that there rested upon government many responsibilities which affect the moral and spiritual welfare of our people. The participation of women in elections has produced a keener realization of the importance of these questions and has contributed to higher national ideals. Moreover, it is through them that our national ideals are ingrained in our children.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)
“The aftermath of joy is not usually more joy.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)