UN human rights experts have called on the Ugandan government to stop what they call a brutal crackdown on political opponents which began in the lead-up to January’s disputed elections.

They urged the authorities to immediately investigate and prosecute all human rights violations, including allegations of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearance and torture.

In a report to the UN Human Rights Council they said several thousand people had been arrested and while some had been released, others were missing.

Opposition supporters have alleged being tortured before appearing in military courts.

The Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, has described those arrested as criminals and terrorists. He has denied people have been disappeared.

The human rights experts said more than 50 people had been killed as a result of brutal policing methods – including the use of live ammunition.