The Ugandan Commissioner for Police Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura at a press conference Sunday talking about ethnic riots that left 21 dead in Kampala.The Ugandan Commissioner for Police Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura at a press conference Sunday talking about ethnic riots that left 21 dead in Kampala. (Sayyid Azim/Associated Press)

The death toll from riots in Uganda's capital, Kampala, rose to 21 on Monday, including a two-year-old boy killed by a stray bullet, officials said.

Seven people have died in hospitals since Saturday and another 14 are believed dead in the clashes, which began Thursday, police spokeswoman Judith Nabakoba said. The situation has since calmed.

More than 500 suspects have appeared in court on charges including inciting violence and destroying public property, Nabakoba said.

The riots saw government forces battling supporters of the Buganda ethnic group, one of Uganda's four ancient kingdoms.

The bloodshed started after the government prevented a representative of Buganda King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II from travelling to a region near the capital on "security grounds."

Many saw it as an insult to the king. The Buganda had previously clashed with the government over land rights.

With files from The Associated Press