Uganda opposition leader under house arrest amid tensions

A Ugandan soldier takes position under a campaign poster of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as chases some of his supporters through the streets in Kampala, Uganda Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. Police in Uganda arrested opposition leader Kizza Besigye at his party's headquarters Friday after heavily armed police surrounded the building and fired tear gas and stun grenades at his supporters who took to the streets. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) A Ugandan soldier takes position under a campaign poster of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as chases some of his supporters through the streets in Kampala, Uganda Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. Police in Uganda arrested opposition leader Kizza Besigye at his party's headquarters Friday after heavily armed police surrounded the building and fired tear gas and stun grenades at his supporters who took to the streets. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

By Associated Press February 20, 2016 1 min read

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) – Ugandan police have put the main opposition candidate under house arrest to prevent him from leading protests as the country awaits the results of a disputed election.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga told The Associated Press Saturday that “preventive measures” have been taken against Kizza Besigye to stem further unrest.

The elections on Thursday were marred by late delivery of polling materials, sporadic violence and a government shutdown of social media.

Besigye’s party has alleged massive vote rigging.

Besigye, who is Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s main rival, has been arrested multiple times this week.