Govt 4 April banned opposition Activists for Change (A4C) pressure group, accused leaders of promoting political violence. Opposition Forum for Democratic Change leader Ingrid Turinawe sexually assaulted, arrested 19 April attending A4C rally in Kampala; police officer suspended 24 April. Army late-April reportedly accused Sudan’s govt of supporting LRA.

Army mid-March said Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels opened 3 camps in DRC, actively recruiting in Uganda, army on high alert. Assistant police inspector John Ariong killed 21 March when police clashed with opposition Forum for Democratic Change march; opposition said police to blame for death, 26 March said over 100 arrested; opposition leader Kizza Besigye 28 March charged with unlawful assembly, inciting public against police, 30 March arrested with 3 opposition politicians for taking part in protest. 53 charged with treason 24 March for alleged plans to overthrow govt. Govt 27 March said influx of up to 7,000 refugees from DRC could pose security risk.

Opposition leader Kizza Besigye and senior Forum for Democratic Change party leaders injured 21 Feb when police dispersed Kampala rally with tear gas. At least 1 killed 16 Feb when govt troops evicted estimated 6,000 people living on nature reserve; evictees claim govt attempting to sell ancestral land to foreign developers. Govt early Feb signed 2 controversial oil production agreements with Tullow Oil, despite Oct 2011 Parliament resolution preventing new oil contracts before necessary laws put in place; opposition condemned move. 2 cabinet ministers 16 Feb resigned following corruption allegations.

Opposition leader Kizza Besigye arrested 19 Jan, held 6 hours; govt said arrest necessary to prevent his participation in anti-govt Activists for Change protest; Besigye 20 Jan claimed he was assaulted in custody, police officers taking drugs. Bagisu village in east attacked 12 Jan by Sabiny tribesmen from Kapchorwa district; 1 killed, hundreds displaced.

Amnesty International 1 Nov documented increased govt harassment, repression of critics; govt denied. Opposition leader Besigye’s supporters, bodyguards 1 Nov fought crowd at his home where he is under house arrest; party officials said mob hired by local police. Parliament 9 Nov discussed motion to suspend PM and internal affairs being investigated for corruption; Attorney Gen Nyombi 22 Nov said Parliament cannot force them to leave.

12 opposition activists arrested 17 Oct following resumption of walk-to-work protests; opposition leader Besigye confined to house for attempt to participate; court 27 Oct ruled confinement illegal. Besigye arrested again 31 Oct for participating following release. Police 19 Oct said 45 opposition protesters detained since 16 Oct, claimed to have unveiled plot to overthrow govt; plan to charge 15 with treason denounced by opposition. Acting FM Oryem 16 Oct welcomed U.S. offer to send 100 troops to help track down LRA. 3 senior politicians including FM Kutesa and Internal Affair minister Onek resigned mid month ahead of anti-corruption case.

Opposition activists 2 Sept postponed planned rally after security forces deployed, banned them from venue. Police 17 Sept arrested author Vincent Nzaramba, alleged his book criticising President Museveni and ruling party is inciting public; later released. Court 14 Sept convicted 2 men over roles in July 2010 Kampala bomb attack. Constitutional Court 22 Sept granted amnesty to ex-LRA commander Thomas Kwoyelo.

Charges against opposition politician Kizza Besigye, including rioting and disobeying police orders, dropped 9 Aug. But tensions flared as Besigye and thousands of supporters gathered 9 Aug in Masaka, calling for resumption of protests. Security Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa warned govt will not tolerate acts meant to destabilise country. Police 17 Aug fired tear gas, water cannon on crowd holding vigil in Kampala for people killed in April protests; 31 Aug banned planned opposition rally to “celebrate people power” in N Africa. President Museveni 13 Aug pledged additional 2,000 troops for AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Govt 4 Aug issued fresh terror alert, reported Somalia’s al-Shabaab planning new attacks.

Soaring inflation and currency depreciation sparked new anti-govt protests early July; traders 6 July shuttered businesses in Kampala and Masaka in SW. Kizza Besigye, leader of opposition DMC party, 25 July called for continued civil disobedience following several months of “walk to work” protests against Museveni regime. Govt 13 July dropped charges against Besigye for his role in protests. Besigye 5 July announced he will step down as DMC party leader when his term expires in 2014.

Following May brutal crackdown on protesters, police 10 June disrupted planned rally by opposition coalition Free Uganda Now. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye 13 June said “walk to work” protests against cost of living must continue. EU 19 June called for electoral reform, dialogue between govt and opposition. FM 21 June announced resumption of talks with Kenya over disputed islands in Lake Victoria.