A Ugandan court has thrown out charges against opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who was accused by the government of inciting protests that turned violent.

A magistrate said Tuesday that there was insufficient evidence to convict Besigye. The opposition leader had been charged with rioting, incitement to violence and disobeying police orders.

The charges stemmed from so-called “walk to work” demonstrations earlier this year designed to protest high food and fuel prices.

Human Rights Watch says nine people were killed as the government forcibly stopped the protests. Besigye was beaten by government security agents.

Besigye said Tuesday that the government should stop wasting time pursuing cases against political opponents that it cannot successfully prosecute.

Besigye has run for president three times against President Yoweri Museveni, losing all three times. He and supporters have accused the government of rigging the polls — an allegation the government has denied.