Campaigns end in Uganda ahead of Thursday`s Election
Campaigns before Uganda goes to the 2016 General Election came to an end on Tuesday 16th February 2016.
The Eight Presidential candidates who are contesting in the Thursday 18th February 2016 Election ended their campaigns by drumming up support in different parts of the country.
The incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta who is defending his seat on the National Resistance Movement, NRM held a rally at Mukono before addressing his supporters at Kololo in Kampala.
The Forum for Democratic Change, FDC candidate, Dr Kizza Kifefe Besigye initially addressed journalists in his home before winding up in Naguru.
Addressing the press during a press conference that was held in his home, Dr Besigye called on Ugandan voters to turn out in large numbers on Thursday to take part in the election that according to him will turn around Uganda and improve the lives of people.
He expressed his hope of winning the race adding that most of the Ugandans have gone through hardships that have made them be optimistic of voting in change.
Besigye who is contesting on ground of change assured his supporters of a big win but called upon them to take part in the change by exercising their constitutional right of voting.
Dr Besigye took issue with the Electoral Commission of Uganda because of a directive barring citizens from carrying their mobile phones, cameras, recording devices to the polling station.
He said the Electoral Commission has no powers to ban the devices in the polling stations arguing that even the directive has support from the Ugandan law.
“How can someone think that this election is similar to that of 1980 where there were no mobile phones?” asked Besigye.
He wondered why the Electoral Commission was issuing such a directive which is aimed at intimidating voters especially those one who are supporting change.
The FDC leader advised his supporters to ignore the Electoral Commission`s directive and carry with them Mobile phones to the polling stations so that they record everything that they deem is of suspicion.
Early this week the Electoral Commission of Uganda issued a directive that banned mobile phones in polling station with the security agencies issuing a similar directive after a while.
Ugandan Election Law outlaws voters from staying in the polling station after casting their votes although it gives them freedom to be one hundred metres away from the polling station.
To Dr Besigye and Amama Mbabazi who also criticized the move, the directive is backward and is meant to propagate rigging in the Election.
He demanded that the Electoral body conduct a free, fair and transparent election emphasizing that the Commission should avoid open bias and remain independent.
Ugandan Election has been termed as the hotly contested election ever in by analysts with a section of people fearing that they might result into chaos.
Already some people especially non Ugandans are believed to have returned to their countries fearing skirmishes.
However, another group of Ugandans is very optimistic that the General Elections will be free and fair rubbishing those claiming that chaos might erupt as pessimist who should be shunned completely.
On his part President Museveni has assured his supporters of a big win arguing that those in the opposition are rumour mongers who are fond of spreading lies.
He said time has come for Uganda people to distinguish lies from truth and elect leaders who stand for truth.
You can also read Ugandans set for elections amid tight campaigns.
He said he has put in place plans to introduce several funds among them the women fund that will help in empowering Ugandans economically and improve people`s lives drastically.
Amama Mbabazi who is an independent candidate has warned police against intimidating people arguing that what happened on Monday where the FDC Candidate Dr Kizza Besigye was arrested for sometime was aimed at intimidating him and his supporters.
He however revealed that the action would not deter him plus all other people who are supporting change in Uganda.
15, 297, 197 registered will take part in the voting exercise on Thursday 18th February 2016 in the 28, 010 polling stations.
According to the Electoral Commission which headed by Dr Badru Kiggundu, all the candidates finished their campaigns on Tuesday 16th February 2016, Wednesday will be a resting day before the D Day on Thursday.
Ugandan Presidential Election has attracted eight candidates including the incumbent Yoweri Museveni Kaguta of NRM, Dr Kizza Kifefe Besigye of FDC, Amama Mbabazi, Independent, Abed Bwanika, People Development Party, Maureen Kyalya, Joseph Mabirizi, Benon Biraro and Venensious Baryamureeba who are all Independent Candidates.
