Museveni orders probe into Besigye escape

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an investigation into how opposition leader Kizza Besigye escaped house arrest prior to Museveni’s inauguration last Thursday. A report on the IoL site notes that Besigye’s dramatic escape from his Kampala home, despite it being under tight military guard, has resulted in Museveni ordering police chief Kale Kayihura to investigate whether some of his top officers were involved. Twenty police officers have been arrested as part of the investigation. Besigye, who has been re-arrested, is being held at Luzira Prison and has been charged with treason. A report on the Times of Oman site notes that the charge, which carries the death penalty, marked an escalation in tensions between the government and Besigye, who has been repeatedly arrested since the disputed February poll. The authorities last week blocked Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and other social media, saying they were worried about security around Museveni's inauguration. Government spokesperson Shaban Bantariza said Besigye had been charged with treason because he had declared himself 'an alternative President', according to the report.