Ugandan Government Official Says Regime Under No External Pressure Following Arrest of Opposition Leader

Ugandan minister of information Nsaba Buturo told English to Africa reporter James Butty the government is under no outside pressure as a result of the arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. He says the government is in firm control of the situation. Mr. Buturo says he was one of the government ministers who met with members of the diplomatic corps in the capital, Kampala, and that during the meeting the government told diplomats that Dr. Besigye’s arrest was about the rule of law in Uganda. Mr. Buturo says the government believes Dr. Besigye committed crimes, while some people believe he did not. Mr. Buturo says the courts should decide whether Dr. Besigye is innocent or not. He says the government will handle the matter in the most fair and transparent way.