The king of a region in Uganda has been charged with murder after clashes with security forces over the weekend in which at least 87 people were killed.

Charles Mumbere was detained after government forces raided his palace in the Rwenzururu region on Saturday.

The authorities accuse him of launching a secessionist movement to create a new state, to be called Yiira.

The murder charges relate to the killing of a police officer in March, not to the unrest over the weekend.

King Charles has denied any involvement in the violence.

At least 16 police officers and 46 royal guards were killed in the clashes in Kasese district, according to official figures.

Map showing Kasese district straddling Uganda and DR Congo borders

Human rights campaigners are urging an independent investigation into the violence after pictures emerged of bodies dumped with hands tied behind their backs.

The government denies carrying out extrajudicial killings in the region.

Questioned about the raid, Gen Jeje Odong, Uganda’s minister for internal affairs, said: “What happened is a situation of self-defence.

“What do you do if I come to you, wanting to pierce you with a knife? Do you allow me to do it? Or you try to protect yourself?” (BBC)

•Photo shows embattled King Charles Mumbere.

Update news