Kampala: Ugandan security forces arrested Sunday a former intelligence chief and outspoken critic of President Yoweri Museveni as tensions mount ahead of a presidential poll next month.
"Former coordinator of intelligence services David Sejusa has been arrested," Uganda's state-owned New Vision newspaper said.
Sejusa's arrest "followed a two-and-half-hour search by UPDF (Ugandan army) officers of the general's home," the newspaper added.
No further details were given.
Uganda has in the past arrested opposition leaders, before releasing them without charge a few hours later.
Seven opposition candidates are vying to end Museveni's 30-year rule in the February 18 poll and there are fears violence could mar the campaign, with all sides accusing each other of arming militias to press their claims to power.
Ex-general Sejusa was once one of Uganda's top military bosses, serving as intelligence chief and as a close advisor to Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
He later formed the Freedom and Unity Front Party, marking himself as a direct challenger to Museveni, although he is not running in the election.
Museveni will face his stiffest opposition from Kizza Besigye, a three-time loser for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister and ruling party stalwart now running for the new Go-Forward party.
Political candidates on all sides have raised fears of violence, with accusations of police brutality and claims opposition groups are organising militia forces.
The United States earlier this month said it was, "concerned that the electoral environment in Uganda is deteriorating."
Earlier this week Ugandan army chief Katumba Wamala warned politicians not to resort to violence.
"There is a lot of excitement as we prepare for the elections... we want to send a message: if the results are not in your favour, you have no right to destabilise the country because this country is bigger than individuals," Wamala said, according to the Daily Monitor newspaper.
AFP
