Opposition political parties have distanced themselves from the city riots that left 24 people dead and hundreds injured.

The developments come after President Museveni accused opposition political parties of exploiting the dispute between his government and the Mengo to begin last week's deadly riots.

"The opposition political parties did not participate in the riot," Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party president Miria Obote told Daily Monitor yesterday. "In any case, the riot was a spontaneous uprising not organised by any member of the opposition."

She said the youths in the city and its suburbs decided to riot to convey their discontent for denying Kabaka a right of movement, association and speech in the country.

On Monday, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye told a press conference at the party's office in Kampala that no member from the opposition planned the riot.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party president, Mr Ken Lukyamuzi, said Mr Museveni's claim is not true.

"The riots came as a result of poor handling of the Buganda crisis," Mr Lukyamuzi said on phone.

He said the government should instead apologise to the people who were affected by the riot than putting claims on others.

Last week's clashes between the rioters and Police broke out after the authorities barred the Buganda king from visiting Bugerere County in Kayunga District, east of the capital, a territory that Buganda Kingdom claims.