Ugandan police charge protest MPs

Police fired live rounds during Thursday's disturbances

Two opposition MPs have appeared in court in Uganda, charged in connection with a demonstration last Thursday in which three people died.

The MPs were accused - along with 25 others - of participating in a riot.

Police have fired live bullets to disperse dozens of protesters angry at their arrest in the capital, Kampala.

MPs Beatrice Atim and Hussein Kyanjo were arrested for taking part in last week's protests against plans to allocate forest land to a sugar firm.

Police spokesman Hassan Kasinje said they are being investigated for murder, incitement and terrorism.

Three people died in the demonstrations that turned violent on Thursday.

A suspected looter was shot by guards, a passer-by was hit by a stray bullet and an Asian man was stoned to death.

I talked to two suspects who were arrested on Friday and they had serious injuries as a result of beatings Lawyer Yusuf Nsibambi

Some of the protesters attacked members of the Asian community because the sugar company is owned by Ugandan Asians.

Environmentalists say the move threatens the existence of rare species of trees and birds in the 30,000 hectare forest.

'Torture'

Some 32 people were arrested following the clashes on Thursday where businesses belonging to Asians were looted.

Yusuf Nsibambi, an advocate representing some of the suspects, claimed that they have been severely tortured and they were unable to walk.

"I talked to two suspects who were arrested on Friday and they had serious injuries as a result of beatings," Mr Nsibambi told the BBC.

The Sugar Corporation of Uganda (Scoul), part of the Mehta Group, wants to take over a third of the forest reserve.

The government is divided on the matter and the state-run New Vision newspaper has criticised the move.

The kabaka, or king, of the local Buganda community has offered to give alternative land for the sugar company in a bid to save the hardwood forest.

President Yoweri Museveni says the plans would create jobs and those who oppose it are blocking development.