Dr Besigye was released on March 21, 2012 after his arrest over the death of a policeman.

Uganda’s police on Wednesday March 21, 2012 released top opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye on bail after arresting him in connection with the death of a police officer earlier in the day, Reuters news agency said, citing his political party. Anne Mugisha, Deputy Foreign Secretary for Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change, FDC, said he was freed late on Wednesday after being charged with convening an unlawful assembly.

Dr Besigye was released on bond, but on the understanding that he will be under preventive arrest, Mugisha told Reuters, explaining that this effectively meant that President Museveni's former close political ally and personal physician would have his movements restricted. Besigye was however allowed to travel from his home on the outskirts of the capital, Kampala to his city centre office yesterday March 22, but only under police escort.

A police spokeswoman denied that Besigye was under preventive arrest but said he was expected to report to police yesterday. According to the BBC, trouble began when opposition leaders touring development projects in the capital were joined by their supporters in what became a procession through the streets. The police said it was an illegal gathering and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Sixteen people, including the city's mayor, were arrested. Assistant Inspector of Police John Bosco Ariongo who was hit by a stone hurled from the crowd, died on the way to hospital, police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said.

Other arrested officials were Kampala MP Nabilla Nagayi and Forum for Democratic Change Women’s League chairperson, Ingrid Turinawe. Over the past year, Besigye, who has failed on three occasions to oust President Yoweri Museveni in elections, has spearheaded a wave of "walk-to-work" protests over the high cost of living and corruption, RFI said. Government has cracked down on the demonstrations and detained Besigye on several occasions. He announced in January that he planned to quit as party head and spend more time organising anti-Museveni protests. Last year, there was a wave of protests following President Yoweri Museveni's re-election in February; a poll denounced as fraudulent by opposition groups.