Security forces yesterday clashed with opposition leaders at Christ the King Hall and later on Kampala city streets as the politicians marched to the Central Police Station in an unauthorised procession. Business came to a standstill at the city centre and traders closed their shops as Police battled with opposition supporters, using teargas and water canons.

The previous night, FDC leader Col. Kizza Besigye had called people over the radio to assemble at Christ the King Hall for a press conference. Arriving at the place, together with DP leader Ssebaana Kizito and JEEMA leader Kibirige Mayanga, they found the Police had cordoned off the premises and ordered the journalists out of the hall. A scuffle ensued before they overpowered the Police and gained entry. Shortly afterwards, Kampala Police boss Edward Ochom appeared, ordering the military Police to disperse the people off Portal Avenue.

Ochom then allowed journalists to enter the hall but barred the public from attending the press conference.

"I don't have any problem with the press conference. My problem is people who are not supposed to be here. I will not allow a repeat of last Thursday," he said.

Abed Bwanika announced in the hall that they would proceed to the Central Police Station to see their colleagues who were held there.

The politicians who included Ssebaana, Besigye and Mayanja had just started marching when they were hit by teargas and water canons. In the confusion that ensued, onlookers were clobbered off the streets by the Police and the military Police. The clashes saw the deployment of a new force, which the public named the "Stick Brigade".

The group sprung from the backyard of the Central Police Station, where they had been ferried in trucks, and dispersed the crowds with sticks.

Asked about the group, Deputy Kampala Police boss Martin Mwanika later said they were the Usalaama Brigade. But Kampala Extra police spokesperson, Simeo Nsubuga, said he was not aware who deployed the stick-waving men.

Some party supporters fled but the politicians walked on. When a stand-off ensued, a Policeman drew a pistol on Ssebaana. The latter's supporters dared him to shoot but he didn't. They continued to move on Kampala Road in ecstasy, chanting party slogans. Ssebaana later branched off to the DP offices at City House.

Besigye continued to the Central Police Station, where he was denied entry. He engaged in a quarrel with the Police commissioner Godfrey Bangirana, who told him he was just enforcing the law.

"What law are you talking about? Have you forgotten that I wrote that constitution?" Besigye shouted. The Police advised him to wait at Buganda Road Court where the suspects would be charged in the afternoon.

The clashes paralysed business in the city centre. Shop attendants along Johnson, William, Burton and Luwum Streets, Kampala, Bombo and Kyaggwe Roads locked up their premises.

Traffic along Jinja Road was cut off at Shell Malindi and near Radio One. The Constitutional Square was sealed off by security personnel, who advised motorists to use Lumumba Avenue in Nakasero to connect to Jinja Road via Garden City. The situation remained tense the rest of the afternoon. It only calmed down after those arrested were charged in court at around 5pm. The anti-riot Police, beefed up by the military Police and the army, were patrolling the city last night.