[JURIST] Kizza Besigye [BBC profile], the president of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, was arrested and charged with treason and rape in Uganda [JURIST news archive] Monday. Prosecutors allege that Besigye participated in acts of treason to overthrow the government with the radical rebel group People's Redemption Army (PRA), a crime that carries the death penalty. Besigye's arrest sparked riots in the city of Kampala, and is expected to lead to further unrest in the already troubled region. In addition, the government is also expected to charge Besigye with the 1997 rape of a young girl in the Ruzira suburb. Besigye, an outspoken opponent of the incumbent government, has denied all charges and contends that he is the victim of political persecution. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. AFP has more.