Updated

Police in Uganda have arrested the mayor of the capital city, a political opponent of the president who last week was found guilty of abuse of office.

Police on Monday arrested Erias Lukwago for disobeying orders to cancel a public rally of supporters.

Last week a government tribunal found Lukwago guilty of abuse of office, incompetence and misconduct. Lukwago says the ruling is part of a plot by President Yoweri Museveni to kick him out of office.

Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba said the planned meeting was illegal because organizers did not fulfill legal requirements to hold the event.

Ndebesa Mwabutsya, a political analyst at Makerere University, said the mayor's arrest demonstrates the government's attempts to use the law to attain political goals.